Calf w/Problems

[toby]

I have a heifer calf born Thur 12th July. When I found her she was in the next pasture - cow positione so calf slid out under the fence. Calf could not get up so carried her around to the cow. Checked on her acouple of hours later and was in same position I left the calf. Gave the calf some colostrum and later milk repalcer. Last night the calf got up and followed me around as I fed it again finally got the cow and calf together but the cow doesn't seam to want the calf to bother her teet aera. This am the same as last night. I hope to get them to a smaller pen and try and force the cow to take the calf. How long can this cow go with out being milked so that she doen't loose the capability to feed the calf. I really dont want to be the mom for the next 3 mo.

 

[MikeC]

Put the calf in the chute and let him suck. NOW!

The longer you postpone it, the longer your dilemma will last.

 

[toby]

I fogot to add this calf has a similiar appearance as the second picture posted by Gwenhawyaer on 11/26/07 search under bumblefoot.

 

[Daisy452]

I have a heifer calf born Thur 12th July. When I found her she was in the next pasture - cow positione so calf slid out under the fence. Calf could not get up so carried her around to the cow. Checked on her acouple of hours later and was in same position I left the calf. Gave the calf some colostrum and later milk repalcer. Last night the calf got up and followed me around as I fed it again finally got the cow and calf together but the cow doesn't seam to want the calf to bother her teet aera. This am the same as last night. I hope to get them to a smaller pen and try and force the cow to take the calf. How long can this cow go with out being milked so that she doen't loose the capability to feed the calf. I really dont want to be the mom for the next 3 mo.

but the mother in a chute or between and get the clf sucking before the mother totally ingnores the calf and ends up hurting the calf. (first time mother?)

 

[msscamp]

In a perfect world, you would have put mom in the chute and helped the calf to nurse when you first found him/her. I would put mom in the chute - like NOW - because the longer baby goes without nursing, the greater the chances of mom not accepting the baby, and the closer she is to drying up. After I put mom in the chute, I would also keep mom and baby penned so I could watch them and make sure mom allows baby to nurse.

 

[tryinhard]

I would guess the calf is in dire straights for collostrum, n better if right from the cow's teats. Good luck

tryinhard

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

I would guess the calf is in dire straights for collostrum, n better if right from the cow's teats. Good luck

tryinhard

You didn't pay attention: Calf received colostrum. Colostrum now is a mute point. Only good first 24 hours.

Toby, you posted on Monday and calf was born on Thursday, so calf was already 4 days old when you first posted. You are about 3 days late on intervening. It is still possible to get the calf on the cow, but will take much more intensive work on your part. Would have been whole lot easier back on Thursday of last week. Cow has probably started drying up, and could care less about the calf.
If you get cow in a chute, you may need to "struss" her up to keep her from kicking calf. Put a rope around her over and in front of the hip bones & right in front of udder, cinch up tight. Calf won't want anything to do with teats, so you need to get calf sucking your finger & lead her to the teat, putting teat in her mouth while she is trying to get your finger. Prior to trying to get calf on teat, be sure to get the teat opened up & producing milk. You don't want the calf to get the teat in her mouth and nothing comes out.
Goodluck - but it sounds like you have a bottle calf on your hands unless you are willing to work at it.