Found a dead calf (3 weeks old) 5 days after Thanksgiving during a what I call a “ride herd” trip. I normally try to check on and head count at lest 3 times a week minimum. But due to Thanksgiving holiday (family size of 30 people) I was cooking Boston butts and turkeys (fried) on Tuesday and Wednesday for Thanksgiving Dinner along with other errands for wife. Thanksgiving dinners made it on time and all went well. I left my country kitchen that night not feeling well and feeling as if maybe flu or bad cold coming on. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday was spent taking Muchnix and Robotussin. Felt a little better Tuesday morning so I went to ride herd. Nights had been cold ( high 30’s) and days high 60’s. Also very constant wind. Some slight rain mixed in. Found 1 calf short in herd. When I found the apx 3 weeks old calf Stretched out on side, hair pulled loose from body, rib cage still in tack and all bones of legs and hips parted but still in place. No meat left on bones of any visible sign. Carcass was all there so I don’t think dogs or coyotes were involved, just buzzards I think. From the looks of carcass I estimated maybe 8-10 days before I found her. The days I was out of commission with the holidays plus doctor appointments for me plus the sick days and appointment for wife, that would have put it about right for the last herd check. I am thinking maybe pneumonia? Last I saw of the calf all was find and was sucking mama.
Calf dead
- Thread starter Tomcolvin
- Start date
kenny thomas
Well-known member
I came home after 2 weeks of hauling fuel after Hurricane Helene last year to down trees on the fence and 1 calf missing. Finally found it under a big tree that had fell. It had been 12 days since the storm came through so most of the calf was eaten.
The mama cow of the dead calf hasn’t settle down yet. She is still walking and calling for her baby. She has plenty milk and hasn’t started to drying up yet. Are there really anything that needs to be done? I wish I could find a week old calf of any kind to put on her but with this cow it probably wouldn’t work. I heard the calling out tonight about 10 o’clock and heard the commotion over in the pasture and sound like a calf answering her call. I rode on my mule over on the backside towards the branch and she came out of the night fog and followed me around a little. I rode both pastures with my search light on both sides of mule and didn’t see any calves that may have gotten on the other side of the pasture splitter fence i separate pastures with when I want to. Most everybody was bed down for the night except for few snacking hay. As I said she met me at the 1st gate 100 yards from the herd.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
If she is hunting for her calf she might surprise you and take a calf easy.
I think that’s what she is doing. I don’t know where I would find a very young calf around me. Will she dry up on her own with no problems? I’ll do some looking around for a calf to put on her but chances are slim.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Yes she will dry up on her own. But I always tried to find a replacement. Even if it was a Holstein from a dairy. We don't have any dairies any more so hard to find a replacement baby.
If it has possibly been 10 days the cow has likely started the process of drying up already.
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Check out this FB group. Usually some calves for sale on it. And, you could make a post saying you are looking for a young calf to graft, and where you are located. https://www.facebook.com/groups/123207290807023/
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Maybe I can be more prepared next time. But I think I said that the last time. Lol, it seems when something crazy like this happens, I can’t think of a thing to do.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
That's just how it is with cattle. I always figure if they are up and sucking they will be ok.
