Bright Raven":2qh5zk6s said:
wbvs58":2qh5zk6s said:
Ron, about time you got a set of scales so no guessing their weight. Nice group there Ron.
I'd settle for 93lb BW even on my heifers, lately I've had a run of them around the 45kg mark (100lb)
Ken
I need a set of scales.
What is you running average on BW?
Ron I just worked it out and for my 29 calves from cows and heifers they averaged 40.4kg but an early one at 18kg and a 28kg twin helped that a bit. My heifers are the problem though 7 averaged 42.3kg, a 48kg and a couple around the 45kg mark. The 48kg one did not end well, she went down in the crush while I was pulling it with my Dr Franks, I was by myself and the pole of the puller got wedged under her I had little option than to keep cranking hoping that I would get away with it but of course the angles all wrong. I got the calf out and it was still twitching but couldn't be revived and the heifer bled out inside. I should have known better but you take chances when you are exhausted and by yourself. Ironically I had set a post in the ground in front of the crush to hang a panel off so I can put a halter on them then let them through to this alley and tie them up and work on them and if they go down I just open up the panel and can then work on them unhindered by the sides of the crush but at the time I did not have it sorted, it'll be right for this year. I do feel that I let her down though.
My problem has to be nutrition though they had not been fed they had run of the place while the main cow herd went into the rough scrub block next door after I weaned their calves, this year the heifers will be going in there also.
The bulls I used were proven low BW.
Ken