Is this Udder Edema?

[Travlr]

Tonight it will be 31 degrees, tomorrow the low is 38. I'm bringing her in tonight to sleep with me in the laundry room. But how should I handle dips into the 30s when I just have a three sided, no electricity run in stable with the door propped open. I wasn't dressed appropriately for how cold I ultimately felt but my husband is likely only going to be okay with one calf sleepover. I was thinking of plastic wrapping the wooden railings and that would keep some of the wind out. Still just seems too cold for a five day old calf.

Your mother instinct is kicking in. Think about how many calves are born outside in northern states, and the normal calving season is February but they are often born earlier.

 

[AmandaQ]

I Googled the average weight for cows in the United States a few weeks ago and it said between 700 and 900 pounds. Perhaps it was averaging all bovines regardless of age.

And I've had other answers from the Google AI bot that made similar mistakes.

I've had calves born in forty below blizzards and as long as they were dried off by their mother and given the warmth of a full belly, and were in a windbreak, they did just fine. It's cold rain and wind that kills calves. Dry cold isn't a problem.

This makes me feel much better. I wish I had a chute but the whole set up for three cows was just too expensive.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

This calf is thinks she has 2 moms Just block the wind and bed her deep.

 

[farmerjan]

Constant in and out with the swings in the temps will not help her. And that is counter productive to the cow and calf continued bonding. Make a calf coat like @TexasJerseyMilker showed to keep the core of her body warm... and let her adjust her own body temp... if she is nursing and it is not raining and cold wind, she will be fine with a good bed of hay to lay in. Taking her away from the cow and bringing her back is also counter productive to the continued bonding... and she will not be able to go to the cow to nurse every couple hours which is definitely needed at this point to stimulate her milk production.

 

[Travlr]

This makes me feel much better. I wish I had a chute but the whole set up for three cows was just too expensive.

Did you watch the video I posted? Two portable corral panels and a home made stanchion with a feed tub was what she was using. A couple of hundred bucks if you buy everything new.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I wouldnt bring her inside. As said the temp swings from 70 to 30 are worse than being outside at 30.

When I used to spring calf most respiratory problems arose when we would get to 60-70 during the day and single digits at night. When it stayed cold or stayed warm things usually stayed healthy.

As long as the calf is dry I don't worry about them too much until well below zero.

 

[AmandaQ]

I have made those coats out of fleece blankets and bathrobe belts.

View attachment 55080

I listened to you all and left her outside. I put plastic sheeting up on the railing of my basically three sided stable but left the door open. And I made her a little outfit for the 31 degree weather. I fed her half a bottle at 7:00, watched her nurse at 9:30 and then refuse a bottle at 10:00. I put the rest of the straw I had on the stable floor and all three cows seem happy to be in there.

 

[AmandaQ]

Did you watch the video I posted? Two portable corral panels and a home made stanchion with a feed tub was what she was using. A couple of hundred bucks if you buy everything new.

I didn't because I didn't see it. I will open this on my computer instead of my phone and watch it. I would love a $200 way to constrain the cows.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

She looks well nested in the hay with her little coat after sucking on her mom. This is great.

 

[Travlr]

I didn't because I didn't see it. I will open this on my computer instead of my phone and watch it. I would love a $200 way to constrain the cows.

 

[farmerjan]

The "head catch" at the one barn where I have my nurse cows, has a simple head catch like that... it is on the bunk feeder so they just put their head in it, feed in the bunk, and close it ... I have a couple holes drilled in the top boards, that I put a long bolt through to hold the board against their neck, instead of the drop down they have, so can adjust it to the size neck of whatever has their head in.. also has 2 spots on the bottom so I can make the bottom a little wider for the beef cattle at the bottom and the top will still close against the neck more easily.

That's a good head catch for a simple operation with a fairly tame friendly animal...
Feed her in it without catching them and after awhile they won't even notice when you slide the top over to catch them...

 

[AmandaQ]

She looks well nested in the hay with her little coat after sucking on her mom. This is great.

Did you watch the video I posted? Two portable corral panels and a home made stanchion with a feed tub was what she was using. A couple of hundred bucks if you buy everything new.

That is a cool set-up. Thanks for sending it to me.

 

[farmerjan]

How is the nursing going today?

 

[AmandaQ]

How is the nursing going today?

She has pretty much given up on the bottle and is nursing exclusively. My mama worry is kicking in because I don't know if there is enough milk or not. My calf Annalea is so much healthier that she was, she is bright eyed, runs the zoomies a lot, prances around trying hay and grass. And refuses the bottle now every time I take it to her. Tonight she considered it and then walked away to nurse instead. I know her mama's milk is better for everyone, it's just the transition is nerve wracking. I've locked all three cows in the stall for the second night in a row. Our weather has been terrible at night. Rain and wind have hit on her sixth and seventh day. I put plastic sheeting up on the wooden railings and have added so much chopped straw. She let me put the blanket and bathrobe back on her tonight. She is the best snuggle partner when she's sleepy. If we could only get some normal spring weather, I could finally relax.

 

[farmerjan]

If she is refusing the bottle, she is getting enough. Nursing more often and less at a time is the best thing... keeps their whole system working and much less chance of scours... Let it be the way it is. She will be fine.
Congrats getting her to go on her momma and the cow taking her... I would not have given you odds of that happening... so that is really really wonderful that it is working out that way for all... Believe me, in the rain and all, she will know to come inside if she doesn't like it... but sounds like with the way it has been, it is safer to keep them in overnight than to have to deal with any more unplanned vet trips.