Time to go to town, culls are good $$ !
Chances of cow talking calf.
- Thread starter ksmit454
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MurraysMutts
Well-known member
@ksmit454 is the calf getting its fill when nursing mama from the chute?
Does it seem hungry and aggressive while nursing?
Sometimes mama walking away is meant for the calf to follow to get her baby away from "people/danger"
The calf may not understand that since you've been "mama"
Then again....
I ain't there either so it's hard to say. After a few days, I'd let the calf skip a meal or two and pen em up together and see what happens!
If the calf is hungry and aggressive, that'll help tremendously. But if he's already somewhat full, he may not follow mama very easily. And mama don't feel the urgency either since her udder has been drained in the chute with some regularity.
Best of luck!
Send a pic or two if can
Does it seem hungry and aggressive while nursing?
Sometimes mama walking away is meant for the calf to follow to get her baby away from "people/danger"
The calf may not understand that since you've been "mama"
Then again....
I ain't there either so it's hard to say. After a few days, I'd let the calf skip a meal or two and pen em up together and see what happens!
If the calf is hungry and aggressive, that'll help tremendously. But if he's already somewhat full, he may not follow mama very easily. And mama don't feel the urgency either since her udder has been drained in the chute with some regularity.
Best of luck!
Send a pic or two if can
50/50Farms
Well-known member
But what if I don't wanna wait?
Silver
Well-known member
Then I guess you'll have to fend for yourself.
Travlr
Well-known member
Well that's gracious...
OP
OP
ksmit454
Well-known member
Yes calf is for sure hungry and vigorous. As soon as I'd take off the side board to the chute, baby would get right up in there and nurse. I would let him nurse until he was full and walked away. Did that 3 times, once with the ace/oxytocin. I know he's hungry because when I go over to check on him he's standing up and bawling for mama but she just stands in the corner by the gate wanting out. So tonight, gave him a bottle because I honestly don't have the time to mess with a crazy mama. I work full time and am in college part time so I tried as best as I could to get mama to like him. I know some say give it a whole week of trying but she has been showing zero signs the few days we tried. Hey, at least I tried.
I figure this is the a best worst case scenario. We could have lost the calf, I thought he was dead when we pulled him. Could have lost the heifer if I wasn't on top of watching her every couple hours. Heifer is going to freezer camp and baby will be bottle fed, casterated soon, and will eventually be grained out like the rest of my steers.
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MurraysMutts
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50/50Farms
Well-known member
It was a reference to the opening for the show Dawson's Creek.
I appreciate the offer, Silver, but it's a different Grand Prairie, about a week's drive south of ya. I've never been to Canada.
Silver
Well-known member
Ah, sorry I missed the reference.
Well, if you miss an exit and find yourself north of the Medicine Line just let me know!
50/50Farms
Well-known member
Will do. Need to matriculate up towards Kalispell sometime soon, a buddy up there has extended an invitation to join him on some hikes and hunts.
OP
OP
ksmit454
Well-known member
Always difficult to not get attached. But, it's the life we live!
sunnyblueskies
Well-known member
Sell the calf as bottle calf, feed up the heifer for butcher.
You're welcome. =D
You're welcome. =D
OP
OP
ksmit454
Well-known member
Update: gave the calf his bottle tonight and after he went right over to mama and found a teat. I'm in shock. Been giving mama cow some grain while I give him a bottle. Might try tomorrow only 1/2 bottle and give her grain and see if he will continue to nurse from her. She did nudge him away a few times but he vigorous and kept going back for more. Last we got her in the cute to let him nurse was 11 days ago so I'm sure she's got milk still. At least hoping so!
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Good on you for sticking to it!
Sometimes the reward is worth it!!
Mark Reynolds
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you forgot "Donkey" in the movie Shrek.
faster horses
Well-known member
Glad it's working out. I'd make sure she still has milk. ]f they don't want a calf,
they can dry themselves up after awhile.
they can dry themselves up after awhile.
OP
OP
ksmit454
Well-known member
Unfortunately the cow ended up drying up and we are bottle feeding the calf now. Mama cow went to the auction!
faster horses
Well-known member
Good for you. The sooner she was gone, the better.
