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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Why

Was the calf in the kitchen? Well, it is pretty cold here still, although much warmer than last week's deep freeze. This guy was born either two weeks early or ten days late (not sure, but I am going with late) and he was walking around the barn when the boss and Liz got there Sunday morning.

It was cold.
He was wet and cold
His mama is a first calf heifer who had no clue what to do.

So Liz washed him with hot water in the milk house, dried him as best as possible, buckled him into a calf coat and then replaced that coat with a fresh, dry one when he was all dried out.

He reacted by getting out of the collar she tied him up with and falling in the gutter behind the cows while they were over at the house.

He was soaked, filthy and shivering so Alan gave him a second bath...however I didn't figure the calf coats were going to be sufficient to warm him. And although the Blitz cow was willing to be a substitute mama when he was just wet, this new form of wet was not so interesting to her.

Thus the kids carted him over to the house and put him in the big dog crate overnight so he could get truly warm and dry. As of last count he was fine, back at the barn, drinking up his bottle eagerly, so far none the worse for his adventures.

11 comments:

joated said...

Well, momma may have been a first timer with no clue about what to do after the fact, but she sure knew how to deliver if the little one was walking around the barn when you got there in the AM.

Good to hear the calf is back where it belongs, though. I'm sure it would have been a while before it was house broke and the results of that training sure would put a damper ont he old appetite.

Tina Marie the Willow Witch said...

cute, lil peanut!

~ Sara ~ said...

All's well that ends well. :) Isn't it amazing what these little guys can manage to get into?!

Sandcastle Momma said...

That would make a great children's story! What an adventure on his first day. And how lucky that he got to stay warm and dry in the kitchen.

Unknown said...

I hope he makes it! Sounds like he is doing fine.

Anonymous said...

The boy got dropped on his head at birth,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,turned him into a democrat. Watch out he don't sue for more entitlements.

I got that straight from Foghorn Leghorn, and he's always right.

R.Powers said...

Neat!
Glad he's okay.

DayPhoto said...

What a darling baby. I just love newborn calves.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

June said...

Poor little guy! But he did step (fall) in some s... to have ended up in a nice warm kitchen!

Ericka said...

my first thought was that he was hiding from the chicken across the road.

glad you saved him!

threecollie said...

Joated, We were astounded. She simply was not due on the day she calved or anywhere near it...but she had other ideas

WW, he is quite a baby!

Sara, I hate the winter when they are all inside. They get into so much trouble

SCMomma, I suspect he would have died if we hadn't brought him in. Calves can take a lot of cold, but they can't deal with being wet and cold like that. Just a few hours indoors to get dry and he was fine


Michelle, thanks, I think he will do well now...glad he is back in the barn though


AKA, lol!

FC, thanks, me too, I hate to lose them

Linda, thanks, I really like the shorthorn Holstein cross calves. they are tough and cheerful

June, lol, he did indeed. Didn't appreciate it much though. He wanted OUT of that dog kennel.

Ericka, that could have been it! lol, we are glad too. We always feel terrible if we lose one.