I have a heifer who needs to be weaned. Her mother isn't giving a lot of milk at this point but having to do so is starting to take a toll on her. I know the ideal thing to do is separate them, but I only have 6 cows total and an open barn, so nowhere to put her. One option is to build a pen, which I can do with some panels, but she will be by herself and she will be very unhappy I'm sure, since everyone else is out in the pasture. She is the only young one I have right now and I don't want to put another cow in there with her because I am afraid she will try to suck and pick up a bad habit. I also don't want her to hurt herself trying to get out and be with her friends. My grandmother suggested putting some liniment on her mother's udder to make it taste bad and discourage the calf. Don't know if it would work or make her sick. Any other suggestions? I have a kant-suck ring but I really don't want her to get it caught out in the pasture somewhere and tear her nose all to he11. Thanks, ideas are welcome.