Bucked knees on a newborn

[Farmgirl]

We had a calf born two days ago. Just got back from checking on them. The calf is getting around pretty good, nursing and pooping. The little guy's knees are bucked though. Instead of his legs being straight they are at a 45 -60 degree angle. Think he will straighten up? He was pretty big and his mama is pretty fat. Maybe he was just crowded in her?

Thanks,
Farmgirl

 

[dun]

We had a calf born two days ago. Just got back from checking on them. The calf is getting around pretty good, nursing and pooping. The little guy's knees are bucked though. Instead of his legs being straight they are at a 45 -60 degree angle. Think he will straighten up? He was pretty big and his mama is pretty fat. Maybe he was just crowded in her?

Thanks,
Farmgirl

If he's getting around and eating etc., he should straighten up just fine without any intervention

 

[Victoria]

If you live in a selenium deficient area I'd give him a shot of Sel/Vit. E.

 

[Victoria]

Oh, and if he can drink and walk he should strengthen up. I don't know your set-up but ideally you want him to get exercise but not have to walk too many miles to keep up with the herd.

 

[I luv herfrds]

We have in the past have had calves with buckled knees. Turns out in our case that the momma cow ate purple lupine and it causes the calves to have these deformed knees. Now ours never grew out of it. They always had them and there is nothing we could do except spray the lupine.

 

[LoveMoo11]

We used to see this quite a bit with our big Holstein calves, they always straightened out within a week or so. Never had the problem with any of our beef calves, but we've never really had any HUGE ones either!