Why this dairy calf with a very distinct marking has been nicknamed ‘Happy’
- A Holstein calf has been born with smiley face markings
- The calf has been nicknamed ‘Happy’ by his breeders
- ‘Happy’ will live on the West Gippsland farm indefinitely
A Holstein calf has been nicknamed ‘Happy’ by his breeders after they were left stunned by his unique markings that resemble a smiley face.
Breeder Barry Coster came across the newborn calf while he was out doing the morning rounds at his farm at Ripplebrook in West Gippsland earlier this week.
He initially didn’t see the atypical markings when he picked up the calf.
But upon turning him around, Mr Coster was surprised to see a smiling face on its side looking right at him.
He instantly took a photo and sent it to his wife.
A Holstein calf nicknamed ‘Happy’ surprised his breeders with his unique markings that resemble a smiley face
‘I couldn’t believe it – I actually zoomed in at first to make sure that none of our workers had added some extra lines or anything,’ Mrs Coster told the ABC.
The couple, who breed about 700 calves at their farm every year, said it was the first time they had come across such unique colouring.
‘We’ve seen some number sevens or love hearts on the head and a few strange markings, but we’ve never seen anything that resembles a smiley face before,’ Mrs Coster said.
Mr Coster named the calf ‘Happy’ and the couple have decided to keep him on the farm indefinitely as a ‘bit of a pet’.
‘Happy’ has also become a favourite with the farm workers due to his markings.
Mrs Coster said a number of staff members have expressed their wish to keep ‘Happy’ as a pet and a ‘lawnmower in their yards’.
