10/14/2026
For anyone who has ever had a heifer walk away from a calf the second it hit the ground, like she didn't just give birth to it.... you know how awesome this little clip is!!!!
Yesterday this 1st calf heifer gave birth(with assistance!) to this 100 # calf. Once she was able to get up, she walked off and never looked back! The calf didn't stand for more than 2 hours, and even then needed a little help because his front tendons were pretty contracted(still are a little....but getting better!) His first bottle of colostrum got him active enough to get up on his feet before finishing it! Once I finally got mom in a stall and put him in with her, she did start talking to him and was never mean(thank goodness!)! But she was so exhausted she could barely get up for the rest of the day. I left them alone to bond, but they are not in a stall with a camera, so I had no idea if he'd eaten again. I offered him a bottle last night, he drank a couple ounces and then I used it to entice him over to mom. I got him latched and he did suckle for a bit, but not that long and he laid back down. This morning I got him up and latched on mom, but he hardly drank at all before he laid back down again. I was hoping that meant he was nursing on his own and just not hungry, but his energy was still kind of low, so I really wasn't sure. This afternoon I offered him half a bottle. He took it immediately and I even got my first head butt out of him(a very good sign)! He finished it, and was still looking for more(exactly what I was hoping for!) so I coaxed him back to mom and he took over! 🙌 He nursed for several more minutes, and on multiple quarters, and was even starting to hop around the stall! 💕 All big wins for this little BIG guy!
