If your livestock happens to be calving, lambing or kidding during the winter, it pays to know how to re-warm cold babies in the event of an emergency.
Newborn animals are very susceptible to cold and can die from prolonged exposure to freezing or below freezing temperatures.
How Cold Is Too Cold?
Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Emeritus Livestock Specialist Glenn Selk warns that newborn calves that are not found for several hours after birth and that have been exposed to exceedingly cold temperatures may become hypothermic or extremely stressed.
“There are several factors that play into the equation when considering the “critical point” when cold really harms a calf,” Andy McCorkill, Univesity of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, said.
Where newborns begin to have problems, McCorkill said, is having a wet hair coat.
“Whether it be from a cold, nasty rain or from just being born can, in many instances, be the variable that pushes a calf over the edge where cold stress can be detrimental,” he said. “Wind is another environmental factor that comes into play. In general, as long as the calf is dried off and on dry ground with some cover from the wind and other elements, it can handle some pretty cold temperatures without much impact other than maybe a frostbitten ear or tail switch. In some extreme cases, a toe or foot can be permanently damaged by frostbite as well.”
What Should You Do When You Discover a Too Cold Newborn?
Quick action needs to be taken if you find a newborn that is cold stressed or suffering from hypothermia.
“If the calf is wet, such as a freshly born calf or in a cold rain or snow, you have to do what you can to get the calf dried and warmed up. Sometimes it can take as little as just moving it to a drier place and maybe putting some straw or hay around it to protect it from the elements other times, where in more extreme cases, it is advised to bring the calf to the house and take more long-term measures,” McCorkill said. “Some people get pretty creative when it comes to getting a calf warmed up.”
He continued by saying there are several calf warmers on the market that employ electric heaters in a small enclosed chamber.
“I have seen stocking cap like apparatuses and earwarmers made to slip over a calf’s head to help keep some heat in and keep ears from getting frostbit,” McCorkill said. “Some bring them in the house or barn and keep them in old crib or a water tank or some other pen in a warm place until they are able to take the elements and are returned to momma. Many times, it is advisable to get some warm colostrum or milk in them to warm them internally too.”
Selk recalled an Oklahoma rancher once called to tell of the success he had noticed in using a warm water bath to revive newborn calves that had been severely cold stressed.
Taking Preventative Measures: An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, and taking a few extra steps to make sure you’re ready for winter birthing can go a long way.
“Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best,” McCorkill advised. “Always keep some rags handy for drying off a calf if necessary on a cold day and some milk and colostrum replacer, and electrolytes.”
Being mindful of where livestock is located during birthing time can help newborns stay protected.
“If possible try and calve in a pasture that has some protection from the elements, particularly providing wind breaks, and hopefully some protection from falling precipitation if it happens to fall during calving time,” McCorkill said.
Preparing a sheltered area, even if animals are out on pasture, can also help quickly warm newborns.
“Have a plan for if the need arises to keep a calf up to warm it for an extended period of time; this may include having some maternity pens in a barn to keep the cow and calf together, a calf warmer of some sorts or a corner of the house and perhaps all three,” McCorkill said.
