Post by naturesgift on Jan 2, 2009 22:35:17 GMT -5
On new years Eve a calf was born on one of my bosses other farms. He approached the mother cow just as the calf was "falling out" He spooked the mom and she ran. He thought she would come back to the calf but she didnt. so a lil calf still wet with birthing fluids stayed out in the below freezing temps all night.
My boss went to go and check on the mom and calf this new years day and I tagged along. What I saw made my heart cry out. There in the middle of the field stood a calf covered in frozen birthing fluids. Her back was arched and she appeared to be stuck in that position. I got out of the truck and I ran to her and began to rub her body. And I got a moan like moo from her. We then tubed her some colostrum he had kept frozen untill now. She just couldnt swallow. her mouth was frozen.
She was so small I could just pick her up, so I picked her up and sat in the bed of the truck and we drove over to her mom. Who almost trampled her as she walked away.
At this point my boss decided she needed to go back the barn. But he was going to do it today. A whole day and night in the cold
I said "No" And asked if I could bring her home. Reluctanly he agreed. And then babbled something about the fact that she would die at his barn b/c she needs to be kept warm and clean. and His calf hutches all have over a foot of poop to walk in. and since she hadnt recieved and colostrum untill this morning (to late 12 hours later)so her immune system is weak.
So I set her in the truck:D and I had him bring us home. We couldnt get her to stop shaking. even in the warm sunlight. I was worried about pneumonia/hyperthermia.
But she is doing so much better. She now can suckle on the bottle. in short spurts. and she follows me around:Love_Icon She is in the barn under a heat lamp in a bed of hay. :Love_Icon
I named her Bandi .
Here she is. the mini calf. (she is sooo small..all legs)
keepin warm:D
She will be here untill I am sure she can survive at the barn. and even after she will remain in my view.
My boss went to go and check on the mom and calf this new years day and I tagged along. What I saw made my heart cry out. There in the middle of the field stood a calf covered in frozen birthing fluids. Her back was arched and she appeared to be stuck in that position. I got out of the truck and I ran to her and began to rub her body. And I got a moan like moo from her. We then tubed her some colostrum he had kept frozen untill now. She just couldnt swallow. her mouth was frozen.
She was so small I could just pick her up, so I picked her up and sat in the bed of the truck and we drove over to her mom. Who almost trampled her as she walked away.
At this point my boss decided she needed to go back the barn. But he was going to do it today. A whole day and night in the cold
I said "No" And asked if I could bring her home. Reluctanly he agreed. And then babbled something about the fact that she would die at his barn b/c she needs to be kept warm and clean. and His calf hutches all have over a foot of poop to walk in. and since she hadnt recieved and colostrum untill this morning (to late 12 hours later)so her immune system is weak.
So I set her in the truck:D and I had him bring us home. We couldnt get her to stop shaking. even in the warm sunlight. I was worried about pneumonia/hyperthermia.
But she is doing so much better. She now can suckle on the bottle. in short spurts. and she follows me around:Love_Icon She is in the barn under a heat lamp in a bed of hay. :Love_Icon
I named her Bandi .
Here she is. the mini calf. (she is sooo small..all legs)
keepin warm:D
She will be here untill I am sure she can survive at the barn. and even after she will remain in my view.