My calf is one month old!

[AmandaQ]

I have been reading old calf posts (weaning and birthing) and it makes me realize I'm really lucky to have a healthy calf right now. I really wish I had been outside for the birth but I would have been no help to my mama cow and been a nervous wreck worrying about her. I don't know where she gave birth, what time she did it, why my calf was a dummy cow or why my cow stopped being a dummy cow. What I do know is that I love my grown cows but nothing compares to snuggling up with a calf. Did any of you think this was going to end up being a happy ending story? I'm only going to get this experience once so I am cherishing it!

 

[wbvs58]

I have been reading old calf posts (weaning and birthing) and it makes me realize I'm really lucky to have a healthy calf right now. I really wish I had been outside for the birth but I would have been no help to my mama cow and been a nervous wreck worrying about her. I don't know where she gave birth, what time she did it, why my calf was a dummy cow or why my cow stopped being a dummy cow. What I do know is that I love my grown cows but nothing compares to snuggling up with a calf. Did any of you think this was going to end up being a happy ending story? I'm only going to get this experience once so I am cherishing it!

I had faith in you Amanda.

Ken

 

[coachg]

If you think 1 is special you need to try 40-50 or like some folks on here in the 100's !

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

My little Jersey bottle calf violently butts and pummels me after feeding CERTAIN I must have an udder someplace. She's really strong.
I think you get to enjoy your snuggly calf because she always has a full belly from nursing many times a day.
Could I lie down with this one? No way.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

Amanda, the thing about tame pet cattle you have to be like the boss cow and teach them to respect your space. Don't let a calf come running up and slam into you. Its cute now but not when they are a couple of hundred pounds (or half a ton). You make them move, they do not make you move. The dominance hierarchy is very important to cattle.

When I go into the field where my bottle raised yearlings are pastured I always carry a length of 1" PCV pipe. These are halter broke trained to lead heifers. If they follow too close or come up and touch me they get a hard whap on the nose. They don't hold a grudge but they respect my space. I can still go up to them and handle them, they don't run away or anything. But heifers and cows come into heat every 3 weeks, turn your back and 600lbs can come down on you.


I carry this plastic pipe and wave it around behind me when they follow, it's my 'horn'. I am the dominant cow. Another thing don't scratch their foreheads. This leads to them butting. Scratch behind the ears and under the jaw, they love it

 

[Travlr]

Did any of you think this was going to end up being a happy ending story?

I don't wish you ill, but the story isn't over and you may well be fine forever. But there's lots of stories here where people get too comfortable or just not pay enough attention... and they get hurt. I see way to many people that think they are immune and have some kind of special relationship with animals and they always pooh pooh the idea that animals can be unreliable or even dangerous without thinking about it. Some do fine and they feed the idea for the wishful thinkers, and others learn better and survive and educate the smart ones. Like I said, I wish the best for you... but I've done my due diligence by expressing the dangers as I understand them and now it's your own responsibility. You don't want to be an accident waiting to happen.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

Amanda just always go in carrying a 4' or 5' stick such as a length of 1" PVC pipe. Better to have and not need than need and not have. Getting to 'friendly and close'? Whack their nose hard. Teach them you can handle and pet them, they cannot pet or shove you. You will not have to do whack them too often but you still always carry the stick. You are the always the dominant cow and the stick is your 'horn'. I make my hand raised cows, calves and rowdy heifers to stand back and respect my space but I can still go up to them and do things invading their space. You can also use it as a walking stick and to poke at rattlesnakes.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

Drill a hole n the PVC 'horn' and hang it on the gate so it's always handy and reminds you to carry it. I remember a film of Texan President Johnson going among his cattle carrying a stick. He poked a bulls testicles with it to draw attention to their size.