06/10/2026
When to intervene: The only right answer here is, “Before it’s too late”. Now, I’m a worry wart, and riddled with anxiety, so I tend to err on the side of caution 😅
This little heifer calf is an absolute wild child. She is always off hiding in the tall grass, and we had only spotted her 3 times since she was born. I had a little bit of time before work this morning to go look for her, and when I found her she was calling for mom (Queenie) but seemed unsure of where to go.
I carried her wriggly little self up to the barn, which she protested greatly, and she was HUNGRY. She tried to nurse off of anyone and everyone, and received more than one hoof to the face in the process. Then when she finally did find Queenie, mom was very distracted by all of the other cows and didn’t stand the best for baby to nurse, and baby was trying to nurse everywhere (chest, armpit, belly, etc).
I decided then that it was better to be safe than sorry; I carried baby up into the barn and then was able to corral Queenie in with her. They have their own fresh water, hay, straw bedding, a fan, and nothing but time to bond! Queenie is being a very good mom, and the calf is still super energetic and seems healthy, but this way there are less distractions for both of them and I will feel better knowing they are tucked into the barn together safely!
