Meet Hazelnut, a ‘spunky’ calf bought for $13 by Gilpin family
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Hazelnut is a pet with a purpose.
The weeks-old baby Brown Swiss calf recently was purchased for $13 at auction by the Karpinski family of Gilpin, with the sole purpose of raising her as a pet dairy cow.
“Hazelnut will be here for the long haul,” Kira Karpinski said.
The family of six set a goal of creating a self-sustaining farm, and Hazelnut will be a key contributor, providing daily fresh milk when she matures.
Citing a shortage of food products during the pandemic, the family decided to be proactive and find ways to be less dependent on external food sources.
“Her breed is known for having a high butter fat content, and we will make cheese and butter from her milk, too,” Karpinski said.
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Hazelnut, born on Sept. 1, belongs to a heavy milk-producing breed originally hailing from the Alpine region in Europe.
Their milk has about a 4% butterfat, suitable for making cheese.
Hazelnut’s new digs include a cozy barn, acres of pasture for roaming and the potential to make barnyard friends with the goats, chickens, quail, guinea fowl, turkeys, pigs and horses that call the 11-acre Karpinski Farm and Homestead home.
“Our goal is to ethically raise as much food for our family as possible, eliminating most outside food sources and controlling the quality of our food by eliminating chemicals and pesticides,” Karpinski said.
The family takes turns bottle-feeding Hazelnut every 4 to 6 hours.
“It’s fun (bottle feeding), but it’s a little hard, too, because she punches the bottle a lot, and she’s strong,” said Harlee Karpinski, 10.
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When grown, Hazelnut will weigh about 1,200 pounds and produce milk 305 days per year.
Raw milk doesn’t require pasteurization when harvested under sanitary conditions.
For the Karpinskis, attaining greater independence from food retailers is a priority.
“Having a dairy cow is one more way we have to rely less on outside sources to be able to feed our family,” Kira Karpinski said.
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In addition to milk, the family will churn butter and make cheese from Hazelnut’s milk.
“Cheese making will be new for us,” Kira Karpinski said.
She noted the responsibilities that accompany animal care have provided valuable life experiences for her children.
“They learn patience, responsibility and how to care for and nurture a live being,” Kira Karpinski said.
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Hazelnut was a baby bargain and, with the average gallon of milk costing a little over $3, the family will save hundreds of dollars a year.
“She should pay for herself fast considering we go through more than three gallons of milk a week,” Kira Karpinski said. “She was one of the littlest calves — day-old calves sell cheap.”
The family said Hazelnut is settling into farm life and has even made a friend, a mini-cow named Bessie.
“Hazelnut is full of life, spunky, playful and cuddly,” Kira Karpinski said.