Tent Calf

Nine inches of wet wet snow. Again, as I was shoveling my sidewalk, and preparing to go help Vernon, he arrived and unloaded a calf. Dang it. I ran to open the gate and door. The calf was sopping wet. He would throw his head backwards. I don’t know what you call it, but that reflex often appears as calves are losing the battle.
I gathered towels, a wool blanket, and my blow dryer. Oh, yes, and a trash bag. I had read that you can create a heat tent with a blow dryer and a trash bag. Just put the calf in the bag… ha. I needed one of those huge lawn and leaf bags for this calf! I had saved some plastic for my garden and it was grabbed and put into service.

Yes, there’s a calf under there. I alternated drying with a towel, covering it with wool blanket, and blowing warm air under this “tent”. I then began a Facebook live, which you can go search on my Red Dirt In My Soul page.

His mouth was quite cold and he continued to flop his head back. I argued. I told him not to. I told him he could do this. I warmed and rubbed and wrestled him, soon discarding coat, scarf, and sweatshirt. Brandon arrived and tubed some colostrum down him. I continued with treatment for a while. He then appeared tired and so I let him rest. I headed outside but met Vernon on the way in. For the second time I retraced my steps but this time I went and made chili for lunch!

Vernon left again after lunch and a much deserved nap… and said he’d be back to get me when he was ready. We were moving the cows out of the lot. It had been a good idea… for a while. We could keep an easier eye on them, but as they calved in closer quarters… cows were getting confused and stealing other babies and ignoring their own! Best laid plans…

I check on the little guy and he was licking at his blanket! I unceremoniously stuck a finger in his mouth. He sucked! Woooohoooo! I mixed up a bottle and fed him while doing another Facebook live to show his progress!

I was off to help Vernon move cows for our Sandhills Method once again, just a quarter of a mile down the highway… the little guy would have to be on his own.

To be continued…

Find me here!

• 
• 
• 
•