It was a beautiful day in May on the farm, one we had been eagerly awaiting, and one that would change our lives forever. The air was warm, the temperature just right, creating the perfect atmosphere for a new calf to be born. Little did we know that the birth of Helen would bring a set of challenges we had never encountered before.
Helen's Mother: Dorothy
Dorothy, Helen’s mother, is a brown Highland cow who had successfully raised a calf before. Highland cows are known for their resilience and natural mothering abilities, so we had no reason to worry when Dorothy became pregnant again. With her experience, we felt confident that she would care for her new baby as she had done in the past.
After Helen Was Born: Trouble on the Farm!
Helen was born on May 18th, 2020, with a stunning white coat. She was our first white calf, which thrilled us! However, our excitement quickly turned to concern. Shortly after her birth, we noticed Dorothy wasn’t paying attention to her newborn. To our shock, Dorothy abandoned Helen, leaving her helpless. When we tried to reunite them, Dorothy became aggressive, even attacking Helen when she attempted to feed. In our 15 years of farming, we had never encountered this situation before, and we found ourselves asking, "How do you take care of a baby Highland cow?"
We never fully understood why Dorothy disowned Helen, though we suspect it may have been due to her unique white coat. Regardless of the reason, night was approaching, and Helen needed immediate care. We brought her into our backyard, drying her off with a blanket and a hair dryer.
Knowing that she hadn’t been able to feed, we rushed to town to buy the necessary formula from a supply store. Thankfully, Helen took to bottle feeding right away, which was a huge relief. The experience was entirely new to us, but we were committed to giving Helen the care she needed to survive and thrive.
Over the next few days, Helen quickly captured our hearts. We kept her in the fenced-in part of our backyard to protect her from potential dangers like coyotes. Helen spent her days joyfully hopping around, playing with us, and even running around our pool. As the days passed, we knew that when the time came for Helen to return to the herd, she wouldn’t just be another Highland cow. She had become part of our family, and that bond would never fade.
If you enjoyed reading about Helen’s birth and her journey, don't miss out on more of her adorable farm adventures! Subscribe to our blog for updates, cute photos, and heartwarming stories about life on the farm. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily pictures of Helen and the rest of the herd.
Additional Information on Taking Care of Baby Highland Cows
Raising a Highland Cow Baby: Merida's Enchanting Birth Unveiled (fluffyhighlandcows.com)
/dillons-website-9881/images/Screenshot_2024-09-25_193010.png)