greenwillowherefords
Well-known member
I've got a new problem that is largely my fault. My wife and I noticed that a breeding age heifer was making attempts to nurse a springing heifer. I asked LA whether I should separate them, and he said "right soon." Another person said "wait until she's a little closer to due date unless she really latches on." Should have taken LA's advice immediately. My wife spotted the younger heifer latched on yesterday. I separated them (had to erect a temporary fence, which was why I was putting it off) yesterday evening. This evening she has a 40 lb. bull calf, who seems to be healthy enough. The heifer owns it fine. Two problems, the calf seems to be slow about learning to latch on, and the heifer seems to be somewhat sore. Bad combo. The calf is about two weeks early. Worried that the heifer might not have any colostrum, but already be making regular milk, I made him a bottle and got a little down him. She is so gentle that I was able to squeeze some milk from her to see if I could work some of the soreness out, and that seemed to work. She seems to be loaded with a lot of milk. Unfortunately, the calf is still actually not showing a great deal of interest in eating, and still hasn't latched on. I've worked with him and her until I am worn out. To complicate matters, my daughter is in the hospital, and that takes precedence over anything else of course. I'm hoping the calf will gain some strength from what I got down him, and nature will take its course during the night. I'm thinking about trying to milk her in the morning and give that to him if they've still not got their act together.
I know this was a foolish, novice-type mistake, and some of you will probably rake me over the coals about it, and I apologize in advance to LA for not heeding him sooner. I still am not sure if most of the problem is not in this little calf. Give me a robust 90 pounder any day. Am I doing the right things? It is supposed to get down to 28 tonight.
I know this was a foolish, novice-type mistake, and some of you will probably rake me over the coals about it, and I apologize in advance to LA for not heeding him sooner. I still am not sure if most of the problem is not in this little calf. Give me a robust 90 pounder any day. Am I doing the right things? It is supposed to get down to 28 tonight.