Calf trying to nurse pregnant heifer

[snake67]

Today I noticed one of my calves trying to nurse one of my pregnant heifers. 1st...is this normal? 2nd does this mean that the heifer is close to calving? Thanks!

Tim

Separate them asap - you will lose colostrum - it is not normal but some do try - if the calf does not stop you will regret it.

Personally I always sell the SOB calves and yearlings down the road - I have no time for them when they do this. Especially if the pregnant cow lets them do it.

Bez

 

[snake67]

Thanks Bez...the heifer was not allowing the calf to nurse...appreciate the insight!!

All the best,

Tim

If the calf persists it might actually take the habit into adulthood and they get real sneaky - and will eventually find cows they can suck.

A bad habit that can be cleared by shipping to slaughter. Others claim success with other means - personally I never bother - too much time to get it to stop and I could not be bothered - there are far too many good animals out there so I toss them.

The final decision is yours.

Cheers

Bez

 

[Backbone Ranch]

We had an orphaned calf suckle our Jersey heifer who hadn't calved yet. The Jersey was tolerant as long as the calf was nursing behind her and not to the side. We separated them a week before the Jersey calved and the orphaned calf went to go poach off of another cow. We sold the orphaned calf two months later as a 8 month old at the sale barn.

 

[snake67]

We had an orphaned calf suckle our Jersey heifer who hadn't calved yet. The Jersey was tolerant as long as the calf was nursing behind her and not to the side. We separated them a week before the Jersey calved and the orphaned calf went to go poach off of another cow. We sold the orphaned calf two months later as a 8 month old at the sale barn.

Any calf sucking the tits of a cow about to give birth robs the colostrum from the new calf - always be aware of this as it can set back the new calf.

Cheers

Bez

 

[suzorse]

it can also damage the udder of the heifer and can cause mastitis ,
so never let a calf nurse a heifer
Suzanne

 

[Workinonit Farm]

Any calf sucking the tits of a cow about to give birth robs the colostrum from the new calf - always be aware of this as it can set back the new calf.

:nod: :nod: :nod:

Bad situation right there.

Katherine

 

[Backbone Ranch]

We had an orphaned calf suckle our Jersey heifer who hadn't calved yet. The Jersey was tolerant as long as the calf was nursing behind her and not to the side. We separated them a week before the Jersey calved and the orphaned calf went to go poach off of another cow. We sold the orphaned calf two months later as a 8 month old at the sale barn.

Any calf sucking the tits of a cow about to give birth robs the colostrum from the new calf - always be aware of this as it can set back the new calf.

Cheers

Bez

I agree that this was not a good situation; we were worried about the heifer getting mastitis and the newborn calf not getting any colostrum. The Jersey heifer's heifer calf is now 5 months old. She had a BW of 56 lbs. She is currently the largest calf from our fall calving group. The Jersey heifer (now a cow) is doing just fine now. She has proven to be a good mother. We have learned through this experience that if we see this happen again, we will remove the calf instead of the possibility of the newborn not having any colostrum.