February was a rough month! Missouri’s average temperature for February is around 45 degrees. This was not your average February! We had snow and extremely cold temperatures.
The first calf AI bred heifers started calving on Feb. 4th and the older cows started calving on Feb. 12th. During that 18 day cold stretch we had 78 calves born, with 53 of them ending up in the warming boxes and 4 dead calves. We drove through the heifers and the cows every two or three hours. When the temps are that low with snow on the ground we had to pick the calves up quickly or they would freeze. We put the LED lights on the top of the calf “ambulance” to good use finding those cold, popsicle calves.
When the calves came in we checked their temperature-it should be 100.5 to 101.5. The cold calves temps ranged from 89 to 97 degrees. We put them in a box under heat lamps and dried them with towels and blow dryers. We always give them colostrum via a stomach tube or a bottle. Calves need colostrum (first milk) within the first few hours to get off to a strong start. It gives them passive immunity against numerous diseases and pathogens. It also contains necessary enzymes and hormones, and it is high in nutrients and energy. Cold, wet newborn calves need extra energy. Their small bodies don’t have reserves to draw from.
All four boxes were in use. We had a nine calves inside one night. We had to tag them ASAP or we would lose track of which calf belonged to which cow!
We’ve had normal temps for several days now. We are finally getting some much needed sleep. The babies keep coming, but they don’t need any extra attention. It’s wonderful!
I considered burning my coveralls, coat, hat, face mask, scarf, boots, and gloves because I was so tired of pulling all of them on and then off – over and over again. I think it would make me feel better, but the cold weather could come back tomorrow! I better wait until spring is really here. Come on spring!
Until next time!
Don’t forget to shut the gate!