How to Feed a Baby Calf

In the big green barn were two rows of places for the milking cows to stand. Just past these was another large barn where there were pens for calves. After a few days of nursing from their mothers the calves would be put in a pen and they would have to learn to drink milk from a pail. This became a chore that Alison would do.

First she would take warm water, measured carefully with a scoup of calf starter, a powder with all good things in it that a calf would need to help it grow strong and mix this well together. After carrying the pail to the pen, she would select which calf to begin feeding. Her little hand would be slipped down into the pail beside the head of the eager calf. She would allow the calf to suck on her fingers and slowly insert the calf’s nose into the milk. Once the calf had started drinking, she would slip her hand out of the pail and wait for the calf to finish his drink. If he stopped she would have to start him over again the same way.

Alison would repeat the process over again until each calf had been fed. She would also fluff up their beds of straw with a fork. She loved to watch the calves frolic in the straw when it was fluffed. They would run in circles and kick up their little hooves. She thought they looked very happy and that made her feel good.

After cleaning up the pails and putting everything away she would be off to do some exploring in the barn. But that is another story…