colostrum level?

[bird dog]

I had a cow commit suicide on me a couple weeks back and left a 2 month old calf. The calf seems to be doing OK running with the herd and robbing milk where possible. I have a brangus heifer that looks like she will calve in the next two to three days. Today I observed the orphan calf nursing on this heifer. Has some of the colostrum been given to the orphan and will there be enough for the new born? I separated them today but I don't know how long she has been letting the orphan nurse. I would think that there is a time left until she calves answer here but I am not sure what is is.

Thanks in advance

 

[bigbull338]

I had a cow commit suicide on me a couple weeks back and left a 2 month old calf. The calf seems to be doing OK running with the herd and robbing milk where possible. I have a brangus heifer that looks like she will calve in the next two to three days. Today I observed the orphan calf nursing on this heifer. Has some of the colostrum been given to the orphan and will there be enough for the new born? I separated them today but I don't know how long she has been letting the orphan nurse. I would think that there is a time left until she calves answer here but I am not sure what is is.

Thanks in advance

hopfully the lil milk robber didnt suck out all the colostrum out of the heifer.but just tobe safe id buy a bag of the powder colostrum.an give it to her calf when its born just in case.

 

[Nesikep]

She *shouldn't* let her milk down until she's calved, so she should be ok, but bigbull338 is right with the insurance of having some powered stuff on hand in case. Also, if you have nice weather it's a little less critical. If you were around here I'd give you a gallon, I have a cow that just had a stillbirth and I've been milking her out, she's got gallons to spare

 

[rockridgecattle]

Heifer colostrum is light on antibodies anyways, just because they have not been exposed to alot of pathogens.
heifers and cows start making colostrum 5 weeks precalving.
If in that time frame the calf nursed on her...your new calf will need supplementation

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Heifer colostrum is light on antibodies anyways, just because they have not been exposed to alot of pathogens.
heifers and cows start making colostrum 5 weeks precalving.
If in that time frame the calf nursed on her...your new calf will need supplementation

That is correct. Heifer's are borderline with enough antibodies in their colostrum. And YES, she will let down her milk prior to calving if a calf is sucking on her. I would plan on giving the calf suppliment colostrum immediately after birth, than let it suck all it wants from mom.