Our 18 year old cow decided that these were the perfect conditions for giving birth. She was missing from the supper Wed. night so Alan took the ATV down the pasture to find her. Highland tend to hide their calves and are very self sufficient at calving. Due to the weather Alan brought the calf up closer to the house. Flat Back (momma's name) was very happy for him to do that. We put baby and mom next to the hay bales so the baby could have warmth and the momma could have feed. Then we started going out every 30 minutes to check on the calf. The hardest thing for us about calving or kidding is deciding when to intercede and when to allow the animals and nature take their own course. We want robust animals, not ones that need humans to help with natural functions. So we watched and waited. Finally because the calf wasn't standing on it's own and was shivering
and because we were having trouble walking in a straight line and losing perception of where we were in the yard due to the blowing snow, we brought that baby inside. Inside means into to the utility room - that perfect room right nest to the entry door with a concrete floor and a floor drain. That room can handle almost anything.
He (bull calf) is sitting on my knee after a good blow dry. That seems to be the only use my hair dryer gets.
Ok, he is up but he can't quite get all four legs under his body at the same time.
The cattle dog is getting to know her newest charge. Once the calf's mouth was warm and he had a suckling response it was time to go back to momma. Yes I go around sticking my fingers into baby's mouths.
The next morning's proof of life photo. The calf was a little too bonded to me. When I came out with the light and camera he immediately got up and started coming to me and momma was right behind him.
The next day all is well and the calf is positive who is momma is!
