It was a bit of a shock, such a small, premature calf: “An animal that is born so early is actually unique. We have never experienced that before.” And so the Knijp family is immediately in action mode. This way they first keep Lies nice and warm in the farm itself. “But my father actually didn’t think that was such a good idea.
He then came up with the plan to convert an IBC vessel into an incubator. We then made it together.” Filled with love, straw, a heat lamp and a nice blanket. “We made our own ‘calfeuse’ and it works.”
“It has happened before that a calf is born too early, but 38 days is very early,” she continues. “Normally, calves don’t make it.” Yet it is not only the good care that Henrieke provides to the calf that makes it a full adventure in the stable this morning. “She comes from a strong line. Her mother is our 100,000 liter cow,” says Henrieke. So a hundred tonner. “That is very special. Not all cows achieve that.”
With the love that Henrieke gives, Lies becomes from a given up calf, possibly the successor to her mother. “That would be very nice, but now we have to ensure that she can walk to the food bowl on her own. When she is ready, she will be strong enough to stand on her own two feet. Until then, I will continue to feed and cuddle her.”