Cow letting multiple calves nurse (picture)

[SRBeef]

The nurse cow thread here reminded me of a photo I took the other evening while I was watching the herd after moving them to some new pasture.

One of the cows that seems to be a particularly good mama was nursing her calf (a hereford in the background) when another cows calf, the baldy in foreground, came up and just started nursing too.

Is this normal/ok? The baldy seems to be growing the same as the other spring calves. I don't think she looks underfed by her own mama.

The cow feeding both did not seem to mind and seems to have plenty of milk - they were both on her for some time and looked "full".

I am not very experienced in this cow/calf business and would appreciate comments/suggestions.

Is it normal for a cow nursing her own calf to let another just come up and nurse?

Does this indicate a problem with the baldy's cow?

Thanks.

 

[cowpunk'd]

I think it's common for calves to try to steal milk, I've seen many different calves do it over the years. Could the black calf just have got lucky this time and was hidden well enough by the red calf? Usually when the cow notices it's the wrong calf she will kick it off. I don't know why a calf tries to steal milk when it's got it's own perfectly good momma, but I guess the skill would come in handy if it was orphaned .

 

[msscamp]

Is it normal for a cow nursing her own calf to let another just come up and nurse?

No. Most cows will not allow any calf but their own to nurse

Does this indicate a problem with the baldy's cow?

Thanks.

It could very well be an indication of a problem. Since it appears that she will allow other calves to nurse following the birth of her calf, she could also allow other calves to nurse prior to the birth of her calf - resulting in no colostrum for her calf at birth. There is also the problem of her allowing an older calf nurse following birth, resulting in less milk and a slower growth rate for her own calf. I believe I would keep a very close eye on this cow, determine if this other calf nursing is just a lucky break, or if she is indeed allowing other calves to nurse. If it is the latter, she would grow wheels very quickly.

 

[KNERSIE]

Usually first calvers are more inclined to allow other calves to nurse than older cows would be.

In an ideal world I'd prefer is every cow will only allow her own calf to nurse and for her to raise him well. In reality you will from time to time have a heifer that you either bought or retained that don't work out as planned, or even lose a cow with a small calf at side. In situations like that its handy to know which of your heavy milkers will be able to help you out in a pinch.

In your situation both calves and the cow looks in good condition so I wouldn't worry too much about it, but I would keep an eye on the cow when she comes close to calving to make sure other opportunistic calves down get all the colostrum

 

[Caustic Burno]

Cow could be worth her weight in feed. Always good to have a nurse cow around for those times when you need one. Good nurse is hard to come by.

 

[bigbull338]

its good to know you have cows that will let more than 1 calf suck them.because a calfs momma could die.so he would need to steal milk.till he got big enough to eat grass.

 

[gertguy]

just like humans greedy

 

[fourstates]

She's just a natural nurse cow and just can't know when it's OK and when it's not...someday she will be the one that saves you from having to bottle feed an orphan for several months. Also, I know calves of a certain age think it is a great good time to sneak up and get a drink from another nursing cow. If they get caught, they speed away legs flying and they seem pretty proud of themselves...just protect her colostrum when she's heavy bred.

 

[SRBeef]

This is a first calf heifer and the baldy did sort of sneak up on her and her nursing calf from behind as I watched. I will keep an eye on this cow especially next spring to see she does lose any colostrum prior to calving.

She may also be valuable as a possible nurse cow as pointed out. I appreciate the replies. Thank you.

 

[SRBeef]

I was in the pasture last evening seeing if everyone was where they were supposed to be when I looked down at the cow next to me and there she was again nursing two calves at the same time - her calf and the same baldy calf pictured above. This time the baldy was in front so it's not like its an accident. Everyone looked as content as could be so I just left them.

The baldy's cow looked like her bag was drying up while the nurse cow seemed to have a lot of milk. I don't know if the nurse cow was drying up so the calf left or the calf left and she started drying up.

Looking for some advice/experience: should I cull the baldy's cow or should I give her another chance? She did have a very nice calf who never looked underfed.