calf question - newbie

[Anonymous]

The calf in question is about 3 months old. An Angus/Holstein cross according to the guy that sold it to me. Calf is on fair pasture, access to a mineral block and is getting grain. When I bought him, his coat was nice and shiny, glossy. Recently, I've noticed that it is starting to look dull. Around the eyes, there is little hair left and the skin looks like...well-cured leather. (for lack of better terminology) Any ideas? I could take a couple digital pictures and post on the 'net if they'd help.

I do have 3 other Holstein bull calves all within a month of the same age. They all look fine.

I raised all 4 from bottles and they're all weaned.

Thx, amg

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[Anonymous]

Frequently animals can't get adequate minerals that they need from blocks. Loose mineral and a white salt block works better. Has he been wormed recently? Late in the year it's not unusual for the coat to become dull and faded, the sun takes it's toll. I would think that there is a nutritional deficiency.

dun

> The calf in question is about 3
> months old. An Angus/Holstein
> cross according to the guy that
> sold it to me. Calf is on fair
> pasture, access to a mineral block
> and is getting grain. When I
> bought him, his coat was nice and
> shiny, glossy. Recently, I've
> noticed that it is starting to
> look dull. Around the eyes, there
> is little hair left and the skin
> looks like...well-cured leather.
> (for lack of better terminology)
> Any ideas? I could take a couple
> digital pictures and post on the
> 'net if they'd help.

> I do have 3 other Holstein bull
> calves all within a month of the
> same age. They all look fine.

> I raised all 4 from bottles and
> they're all weaned.

> Thx, amg

 

[Anonymous]

> Frequently animals can't get
> adequate minerals that they need
> from blocks. Loose mineral and a
> white salt block works better. Has
> he been wormed recently? Late in
> the year it's not unusual for the
> coat to become dull and faded, the
> sun takes it's toll. I would think
> that there is a nutritional
> deficiency.

> dun

Today, I just started noticing the start of the same skin problems with the other three calves.

I don't think this is due to fading by the sun as the oldest calves have only been on pasture for 6 weeks after being weaned from the bottle. Ditto for worms, but I'll de-worm them just in case.

Yeah, I, too, was also leaning towards a nutritional deficiency until I noticed where the skin spots are located. Primarily along the backbone, around the ears and eyes, and on the top of the head and neck. Now, I am now wondering if it is due to the insecticide/fuel oil mix I've been using on the backrubber and face flips. I went and pulled the info on the it…sure enough not recommended for cattle under 6 months of age. (They're only a couple months old.) Sound reasonable to you?

Pictures have been posted at <A HREF="http://www.bright.net/~agarb/calf2.jpg" TARGET="_blank">http://www.bright.net/~agarb/calf2.jpg</A> if anyone cares to take a peek.

amg



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[Anonymous]

Yup, it sounds reasonalbe. What sort of mix are you using in your backrubs, etc.

dun

> Today, I just started noticing the
> start of the same skin problems
> with the other three calves.

> I don't think this is due to
> fading by the sun as the oldest
> calves have only been on pasture
> for 6 weeks after being weaned
> from the bottle. Ditto for worms,
> but I'll de-worm them just in
> case.

> Yeah, I, too, was also leaning
> towards a nutritional deficiency
> until I noticed where the skin
> spots are located. Primarily along
> the backbone, around the ears and
> eyes, and on the top of the head
> and neck. Now, I am now wondering
> if it is due to the
> insecticide/fuel oil mix I've been
> using on the backrubber and face
> flips. I went and pulled the info
> on the it…sure enough not
> recommended for cattle under 6
> months of age. (They're only a
> couple months old.) Sound
> reasonable to you?

> Pictures have been posted at
> <A HREF="http://www.bright.net/~agarb/calf2.jpg" TARGET="_blank">http://www.bright.net/~agarb/calf2.jpg</A>
> if anyone cares to take a peek.

> amg

 

[Anonymous]

> Yup, it sounds reasonalbe. What
> sort of mix are you using in your
> backrubs, etc.

> dun

I'm using a mix of Prolate/Lintox and Diesel fuel at the ratio specified in the literature.

Anybody know of a better insecticide for young calves?

Or an alternative method of fly control?

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[Anonymous]

We use premectrin II and diesel. The calves start being exposed to it when they're a day old as they follow the cows into and out of the water trap. We haven't had a problem and we've been sing it for 5 or so years.

dun

> I'm using a mix of Prolate/Lintox
> and Diesel fuel at the ratio
> specified in the literature.

> Anybody know of a better
> insecticide for young calves?

> Or an alternative method of fly
> control?

 

[Anonymous]

> I'm using a mix of Prolate/Lintox
> and Diesel fuel at the ratio
> specified in the literature.

> Anybody know of a better
> insecticide for young calves?

> Or an alternative method of fly
> control? ~~~~~~~get you some beefmasters!!!you wont have insect or fly problems.~~~~~Tc

 

[Anonymous]

this is true.