Our oldest cow had her 10 & 11 calves on Dec 22. Couldn't believe it 10 pregnancy's and now twins !! Bull calves too, was happy about that
She accepts both of them as her own, but I am bottle feeding one of them. It was complicated her taking both of them because she has had 2 teats amputated the last 2 pregnancy's..not the greatest udder situation--but lots of milk and raised the last calf on 2 teats no problem. Both teats on one side, so the one I am bottle feeding is the smaller of the two and was either too stupid or not strong enought to knock the other one out of the way.
She had them in the barn and they stayed in there for about 10 days and everything was fine. Then on Monday she decided it was time to go to the pasture. I didn't have a problem with that as long as I could get the calf to come to the bottle. First attempted feeding while in the pasture failed, the calf only ran. Yesterday morning, the calf was now a little more hungry from missing the evening meal, but now had developed a fear of humans and me ????? So I have to sit out in the pasture for about 30-45 minutes for it to trust me..when it starts eating I back up until I get it in the barn and it is now penned up in there.
It has been along time since I had a bottle calf so I am hoping someone could help me remember when they are smart enough to come for the bottle (I am actually starting a bucket with a nipple) ?
I want to let him go as soon as possible to be with the herd, but I need him to come for feed. He will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. I was hoping maybe next week I could set him loose. I have 5 cows that calved recently and 1 ready to go anytime, so I am hoping he will figure out how to steal milk or another cow will take him.
Thanks and I don't need advise on culling the cow. Donna
She accepts both of them as her own, but I am bottle feeding one of them. It was complicated her taking both of them because she has had 2 teats amputated the last 2 pregnancy's..not the greatest udder situation--but lots of milk and raised the last calf on 2 teats no problem. Both teats on one side, so the one I am bottle feeding is the smaller of the two and was either too stupid or not strong enought to knock the other one out of the way.
She had them in the barn and they stayed in there for about 10 days and everything was fine. Then on Monday she decided it was time to go to the pasture. I didn't have a problem with that as long as I could get the calf to come to the bottle. First attempted feeding while in the pasture failed, the calf only ran. Yesterday morning, the calf was now a little more hungry from missing the evening meal, but now had developed a fear of humans and me ????? So I have to sit out in the pasture for about 30-45 minutes for it to trust me..when it starts eating I back up until I get it in the barn and it is now penned up in there.
It has been along time since I had a bottle calf so I am hoping someone could help me remember when they are smart enough to come for the bottle (I am actually starting a bucket with a nipple) ?
I want to let him go as soon as possible to be with the herd, but I need him to come for feed. He will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. I was hoping maybe next week I could set him loose. I have 5 cows that calved recently and 1 ready to go anytime, so I am hoping he will figure out how to steal milk or another cow will take him.
Thanks and I don't need advise on culling the cow. Donna