After I posted this morning, I went to try and feed the calf in the laundry room. He was not interested in eating, so I took a shower. I decided to try and feed him with a syringe a bit later.
While I was trying to do that, he could hear his mama mooing for him. He started mooing, so I thought that was a good sign. I went and got muck boots on and one of David’s coats and then started to pick him up to try and take him outside to Hildy.
Somehow, he died while I was trying to pick him up. Because the world is a cruel place.
Me: Oh, you can’t be dead? You were just alive? Are you dead? Hello? You shouldn’t die!
So, that was super and it was 8:30am and I had to be live with students at 9.
I was scared that I was wrong that he died. So, I asked the boys to take him out by Hildy. They argued and told me they didn’t feel like it. I told them they would do it or their phones would be mine for three months.
So, as I went live with my students, they did just that.
And the calf was most assuredly, dead.
After my live session, I talked to David and he wanted me to have the boys take him to the burn pile. They got the four wheeler to go and grab him, throwing snowballs at Hildy to try and keep her away from them.
Hildy has been mooing sorrowfully nonstop and my heart is sad.
I sent all the kids to my parents for the evening, and David came home with pizza and wine.
David: You know what this means about Hildy, right?
Me: You have to sell or butcher her?
David: Yup.
Farm life. Not for the faint of heart.
***
Milk Hildy and rebreed her…it isn’t her fault the calf died. Or maybe one of the other calves will suckle her.
Whooops , just read yesterdays post disregard my comment above.
They do make bottles to bottle feed calves and powdered milk replacer to mix up to feed them. So , next time you know to get the calf in a warm dry place and feed it with a bottle. They usually start suckling as soon as they can stand which is fairly shortly after they are born within 30 minutes or so.
I’m so sorry. I’ve been following you forever and never comment but had to this time. I’m just so sorry about your little calf and Hildy. Take care.
The tragedy of farm life ends up at the dinner table. Tasty though. 🐄 🐮 🐄 🥩🥩🥩🥩
Oh, I am so sorry! Poor little feller. Poor Hildy!
I’m so sorry. That is heartbreaking
So sorry about the calf dying. Some things about farm life are VERY hard. I hope other calves live much longer!