Our calving season started on Monday and we have had 5 healthy beef calves born since then. Calf number 5 was a surprise though because his Dam did not appear to be bagging up at all. This is her 4th calf and normally she bags up nicely. Any ideas on why this happened? I don't think it's a feed related thing because all the other cows with calves on the ground bagged up good.
I've seen the calf sucking a few times but he bounces from teat to teat a lot so between that and the small udder, I'm wondering about her milk supply. He seems spunky though. He is about 18 hrs old so if he hasn't really gotten a good meal I would think he would look weak by now?
Also...its been raining all afternoon and sounds like it will continue most of the night. It's not too cold (45 today, 32 tonight) so I haven't been worried about the calves that have been hanging out outside today but at what point is too long for them to be wet without drying off? The shed is bedded nicely but they won't stay in it (well besides the newest baby).
Thanks for any expertise and advice!
I've seen the calf sucking a few times but he bounces from teat to teat a lot so between that and the small udder, I'm wondering about her milk supply. He seems spunky though. He is about 18 hrs old so if he hasn't really gotten a good meal I would think he would look weak by now?
Also...its been raining all afternoon and sounds like it will continue most of the night. It's not too cold (45 today, 32 tonight) so I haven't been worried about the calves that have been hanging out outside today but at what point is too long for them to be wet without drying off? The shed is bedded nicely but they won't stay in it (well besides the newest baby).
Thanks for any expertise and advice!