Sunbeams

By Saffi

First hours of life

This calf was born backwards.  Fortunately T and B were able to get it out alive and without any injury to the mother - or a ceasarian delivery.  N and I went down to check whether it had sucked or not, we thought it might have as it was so lively but we waited  around and watched.  It went in the right direction but did not drink.  When T came back from the fields it was sucking.  If a calf has not sucked within six hours we usually put the cow in the cattle crush and try and put the calf on one of its teats.  If this does not work we then put a tube down into the calf's stomach and feed it.  Most calves have no problem!  The mother is in the process of losing her afterbirth which is a healthy sign.  If it does not come out the vet would have to cleanse her to avoid any infection.

Update: the vet had to come and cleanse the cow after all.

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