The Christmas Calf
I got a call from Brett this morning. He was out doing chores, checking on the horses, when he found a brand new Highlander Bull Calf laying wet in the snow. The heifer he recently bought was pregnant, he knew that, but he was told she was due in the spring…
He saw that the calf needed help. The mother wasn't being very attentive and he didn't want to lose him. He brought the little guy inside, cleaned him up, and jumped in the truck to get some emergency calf nutrition at Tractor Supply. If the bull calf pulls through, he will be a bottle calf. A bottle calf can not be left alone while the farmer goes off to have fun kicking his heals up with horses and friends...
So here's where the story gets interesting. Brett is still coming for Christmas. He's just going to bring the calf with him if the little guy pulls through. Being a newborn and on a strict bottle schedule we'll just set up a spot for him in the house. I have gates and a tarp. My floors are linoleum and I have a shovel. So this year there will most likely be a highlander calf in the house with us, drinking from a 2-liter bottle and mooing right under the lit up tree…
posted by Jenna Woginrich at 1:11 PM
35 Comments:
I know you would not have it any other way. This is the epitome of the beginning of your "Best Christmases Ever."
How awesome!!!! A little Christmas miracle. I sure hope he pulls through and grows up to be a strapping young bull!
This is awesome. Have you read The Christmas Kitten? Reminds me so strongly of that James Herriot story... Well wishes for the little guy!
Listen close on Christmas eve, the calf & all your animals may talk!
Happy Holidays Jenna.
Sounds like Christmas to me. :)
Christmas memories in the making!
That is so cool.
-Jaime
A perfect holiday miracle in the making.
I love Highlander cattle and want to add some to my small farm. I absolutely can not have horned cattle tho as they will hook and kill a horse in a heartbeat. I know of two horses accidentally gored by roping steers who came up to rub on their pasture mates and ended up doing great damage. Do you know if Highlander cattle can be dethroned as babies or if naturally polled versions exist? As a side note, I sure hope your friend wrangled the cow in to a corner and got some good colustrum in to the calf.
What a Special Christmas this will be. I LOVE that sweet little face. Healing Reiki energy on it's way to the calf....
Hope he makes it! :) Merry Christmas! The farm where I get my meat had to bottle raise a Dexter calf because his mother died giving birth. They raised him in their laundry room. Now he is like a huge overgrown puppy.
What a wonderful Christmas story! Kids book in the making?! Very cool! Hope he pulls through!
A country farm Christmas, complete with a calf! Enjoy!
that picture is from online, but a close approximation! haven't heard any updates but I would be lying if a highlander by the woodstove, with candles and carols, wouldnt be amazing!
This is great! A classic ColdAntler Farm Christmas. Keep us informed on how the little guy grows up!
This is great! A classic ColdAntler Farm Christmas. Keep us informed on how the little guy grows up!
That's awsome! Sounds like a classic Coldantler Farm Christmas to me! Keep us updated as he grows up.
Perfect for you! If he pulls through, he'll have to be named Noel or something equally appropriate. I hope he joins in the caroling.
I hope the calf will be ok and I can't wait to see a pic! Sounds like a lot of work but well worth it.
That is just about the neatest thing I have heard in a good long while! If all is well with the little one I hope you will get some good pictures for us all. I, and a number of others I warrant, will be waiting eagerly to see them!
How very "away in the manger"!!
Hope he pulls through. Have a lovely Christmas Jenna.
I know you're excited. Hope your holiday is extra special for you, your loved ones and your entire menagerie, sweets.
could you ask for a better christmas present than to spend time with that beautiful baby? I think not! Enjoy!
could you ask for a better christmas present than to spend time with that beautiful baby? I think not! Enjoy!
What a handsome little cafe. If Brett hasn't named him already, I'd like to suggest Rusty. :)
You know, having a calf in your house just makes it a truly Jenna style Christmas!
"I have gates and a tarp. My floors are linoleum and I have a shovel." This statement tells me that you have arrived. You are a seasoned homesteader for sure, Jenna. Enjoy your extra-stable-like Christmas celebration. He's a beauty!
hmmm. things have changed a bit. all of our calves were taken from their moms after one or two feedings and weaned directly to a pail(straddle the calf, put your fingers in the calf's mouth to get the sucking going good, then bring your fingers down into the pail of milk replacer(or mom's milk for the first couple days).Some of my friends who still have cows use nipple pails, but most just use regular pails since it is easier to keep regular pails really good and clean.. The calves did not travel with us or any of that sort of thing.(can only imagine what the Grange Childrens' Christmas Party would have been like if we dragged our babies along, the calves were our responsibilty to feed!) they were kept in a warmer part of the barn with new calves, or calf hutches outside(they actually stay healthier that way) and drink on a schedule. Most all do fine, some succumb to pneumonia if born in the cold months, but most do fine. since only one of you has a baby calf it should be entertaining, hopefully not another source of stress for the calf, you'll all know soon enough by the scours if the calf is stressed or sick.
Will his name by "chris"?? And since I have no idea, about how big is he?? This is exactly what I'd guess a CAF christmas would be like!
Prayers for the little one to pull through.
Thanks for the smile...I can just see that baby under the tree, hanging out with you all on Christmas day! :)
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Blessed New Year!
that is awesome. what a cute guy.
A Heeland Coo in the kitchen sounds just about right for a Cold Antler Christmas!
Sounds like a good start for a living nativity inside your house! :)
Love that story. I adore country Christmases!
Listen closely, maybe he'll talk to you midnight Christmas Eve!
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