Jasmine is so tame that she usually welcomes petting:
Jasmine eventually began coming into the barn, but once in a while, one or two of the cows simply stayed outside. I used to let them go without grain when that happened, but now I'm trying to be sure they get plenty of minerals and vitamins, so I carry out a bowl to those who don't come into the barn:
And the red haired ladies are still spending most of their time on the east side of the barn, where the building offers them respite from the west winds:
They look like snow monsters since their fur insulates so well that the snow on their backs doesn't melt. This picture was taken right after I'd cleaned the barn floor and there was fresh hay put down. They wanted to eat it and refused to exit the barn. I had to walk in there and push them out. An occasion like this is where the less friendly cows come in handy, as they will leave the barn when I simply get too close. The friendlier cows need pushing or a slap on the butt:
Amy is rather a friendly girl also:
They all remembered their stalls from when they used to come in for grain - all of them except Jasmine, who seems dazed and confused much of the time. Of course once in a while, a cow will enter the wrong stall and then a struggle is possible:
Jasmine again, on the east side of the barn near the bale feeder:
Scarlett, easily identified by the white patch on her udder. One downside of uniformly colored cattle is identifying them at a distance. I've learned to look for certain identifying features. Also, you can see Blue and Remy over by the stock tank:
Gracie was watching me as I refilled their mineral feeder and cleaned the snow off the salt block:
I can find the cows at the bale feeder day and night, all winter long. If I ever find a cow missing, I'll panic and go on an immediate search:
On this cold day, the wind was from the north and the sun was on the south, so they collected on the south side of the barn:
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