Why Does My Calf Kneel With Her Back End Up?

When Pippi was only a few days old, she started doing something I had never seen before. She would kneel down on her front legs, keep her back end up in the air, and just… stay there. Sometimes she acted like she was grazing. Sometimes she used the position to lick herself. Sometimes she seemed to do it for no obvious reason at all.  

Naturally, I called it her calf curtsey.

Is a Calf Curtsey Normal?

In Pippi’s case, she was not stuck, injured, weak, or unable to stand. She was bright, nursing, alert, moving well, and getting around normally.  That is what was most important.  I still looped my vet in just to be sure I wasn't missing anything.  This is wise any time a calf is behaving oddly.

Young calves are still figuring out their legs, balance, body control, and coordination. They also do plenty of odd-looking things while stretching, grooming, playing, or exploring what their bodies can do. Some calf behavior looks strange simply because calves are strange little creatures.

When I Would Worry

I would look much more closely if a calf:

• could not get up
• seemed weak or dull
• was not nursing
• acted painful
• limped or dragged a leg
• had swollen joints
• stayed isolated
• had scours
• had a fever
• stopped playing or moving normally

Odd behavior by itself is one thing. Odd behavior with weakness, pain, poor nursing, fever, or dullness is another.

Why I Was Not Too Worried About Pippi

Pippi’s little curtsey was funny, but the rest of her behavior looked good.

• She was nursing.
• She was alert.
• She was interacting with her mama.
• She was getting around.
• And within days, she was head-butting, running, and tearing around the pasture with full calf zoomies.

That told me a lot.  A sick or failing calf usually does not act like a tiny red tornado 🤣

The Lesson

I still do not know exactly why Pippi decided this position was necessary.

• Maybe she was stretching.
• Maybe she was grooming.
• Maybe she was practicing balance.
• Maybe she was trying to invent calf yoga 🤣
• Maybe she is just... Pippi.

With calves, context matters. One odd behavior does not tell the whole story. I watch the whole calf: nursing, attitude, movement, manure, alertness, and whether she is improving or declining. In Pippi’s case, the calf curtsey appears to be one more piece of her very dramatic personality.

A little drama fits her.