Welcome to this world….

Throughout the year there are births here at Zittrauerhof again and again, but especially in autumn and spring there is particularly much going on in our barns.

Around 35-39 heifers and cows on the farm have a calf each year with us. And especially in late autumn it regularly means: The calf might come tonight and you divide up the “watching.” Cows usually choose a quieter time for birth, very often at midday or during the night with us.

If they are still out in the pasture, they withdraw from the herd to be a little secluded. My husband knows how to read the signs of an impending birth very well—for example, he checks the temperature, whether the tail is already getting “soft,” how the mucus looks, or if the “pelvic ligaments have dropped.” However, just like with humans, the due date isn’t exactly predictable, and we often head up to the stable every two hours to check, especially at night.

Just as Matthias knows how to read the signs, he has also taught himself over the years on the farm which maneuvers he needs to perform during birth and what needs to be watched. If there are extremely difficult births, the vet is called, but usually Matthias—as on almost all other farms too—the farmer himself is the birth assistant.

As soon as the birth is over, the newborn’s initial care begins: water in the calf’s ears, mucus out of the mouth, and homeopathic birth remedies for calf and cow. Afterwards it is important that the cow stands up and takes in plenty of fluids. For this she gets warm water, as much as she wants, mixed with cola.

The joy is especially great when it is a Kus-Kaibi (female calf), since we can use our own calves for rearing; the bull calves are sold to the producers’ cooperative for fattening after the first months.

After initial care the calf is licked clean by the mother and we disinfect the little one’s navel. Calf and cow then receive homeopathic remedies from us for three more days, for strengthening on the one hand and for uterine involution on the other.

Afterwards the little one goes into the calf box and is fed the mother’s milk using a drinking bucket. And as with humans, the colostral milk from the first milkings is of particularly important significance and very precious! With us this milk is called “Biestmilch.” The Biestmilch from the oldest cows is frozen and kept to have it in reserve for emergencies. It can also be used very well for strengthening yourself as part of a cure and helps well.

It is a great joy every time when a calf is born healthy. Have a lovely Sunday, all of you. I’m already looking forward to the next farm story!

Katharina Schwaiger from Zittrauerhof in Gastein.