Frosty the Snow Calf

Last week, we hit the lowest night temperatures of the season.  Unfortunately, our "baby" Yanni was due to deliver her first baby any time.  We wisely moved her into the corral, filled her stall with a few feet of straw and worred non-stop on Thursday night.  We were up very early Friday morning checking on her.  No baby to be found.  Opened the gate to her stall so she could come out to eat and drink and mingle, then checked on her throughout the day.

Right about dinner time we headed back outside to put her in the stall for the night.  Lo and behold, there were heifers in her stall and she was calving out on the hay pile!  Our best laid plans went by the wayside....

The temperature was already at zero so we went for Plan C - giving mom a few licks at baby, then rushing her into the calf warmer.  We did not want a calf frozen to the ground or missing ear tips from frostbite.

Meet Moosters Frostbite - in all her soaking wet glory!

She spent the night in the calf warmer in the living room.  She got a few warm bottles of colostrum to help keep her warm and full.  Here's the view on Saturday morning!

She bonded well with her momma and was strong and nursing quickly enough.  Saturday was another frigid night, so she got a coat to help keep her warm.  And yes, while the poor dogs get clothed regularly, this was a one time ordeal for poor Frostly (insert sounds of dogs laughing here!).

Playing in the calf feeder

Her other momma explaining that it's time to go out and meet the rest of the herd

Mom moved on out to the pasture and Frosty is trying to decide if she really wants to go or not....

Even though mom headed out to pasture, Frosty was a bit reluctant to go.  Her straw filled stall was apparently more inviting.  Chris had to encourage her just a bit. 

She wasn't too happy about meeting Twizzler and momma wasn't too excited about it either.  

She eventually met most of the herd and has learned to lead mom on a Merry Chase!