Calf only sucking one quarter....

[cornstalk]

Hello board;

I'm looking for a few opinions on my situation.

I have a 36 hr old black angus bull calf who seems to have only found one teat on the cow. (First calf heifer) The other 3 teats/quarters are larger, and he evidently hasnt figured them out yet. The calf appears to be a little on the hungry side, and is not a real aggressive feeder. (I had a calf a week ago hit the ground sucking, and has only stopped once for air since. )

My concern lies in that the cow may need to be relieved on her other three quarters. I'm hoping that the calf will resolve this as he becomes stronger / more aggressive. How long should I wait before I catch them and get her in the head gate to assist ? (Worried about mastitis setting in)

Thanks for any insight.

P.S. Duns philosophy of "benign neglect" has been my take on the situation up until now.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

I would continue with the "benign neglect". If you intervene, the best thing to do is seperate the cow & calf for a few hours, put the cow in the chute & cover the teat he wants. This should force him to look for another.
But, unless he hasn't figured it out after maybe a week, I would just sit back & watch. If the teats are not touched (opened up) they should not get mastitis. Just keep an eye on her & calf.

 

[OklaBrangusBreeder]

I have had similar situations before...

At times, I have had to put the cow in the chute and milk out the teats the calf is not nursing. By milking them out to reduce their size, the calf is able to begin nursing them itself.

Usually only have to do it once, maybe twice to help the calf get the idea.