putting weaned calf back with cow

ugabulldog · Dec 2, 2015

I am new to raising cows... separated calf about 2 months ago to let momma cow dry up, she is due to give birth any day now. Can I put calf back in with her momma now or should I wait till new calf is born and a couple of days old so it has better chance of getting colostrum? any other reason to keep separated any longer?

Williamsv · Dec 2, 2015

I would not put that calf back in with the cow until the new calf is several months old. I thought one of my calves was weaned and as soon as he got with his mother, he started back sucking her. I had to separate them again.

JMJ Farms · Dec 2, 2015

I would have thought two months would been more than long enough. If it makes life easier to put the weaned calf back in with his mama you could always use one of those weaning flaps to prevent sucking.

Muddy · Dec 2, 2015

JMJ Farms":j8a049bv said:
I would have thought two months would been more than long enough. If it makes life easier to put the weaned calf back in with his mama you could always use one of those weaning flaps to prevent sucking.

I would rather having them stays separated till the new calf is few months old. Sometimes some older calves won't lose their old habits.

ugabulldog · Dec 3, 2015

OK, thanks....is the main reasons it would be bad for older calf to start nursing again is, it will continue to do so indefinetly, and newborn calf would not get as much milk?

coachg · Dec 5, 2015

Yes, I would be more concerned with the new calf not getting the milk.

Ebenezer · Dec 5, 2015

If there is no trouble getting the weaned calves back up and sorted out, turn them out and watch them. If they try to nurse the mother then get them out and leave the rest in with the cows that are fully weaned. I assume you are having more cost to keep the weaned calves separate. If not, keep them separated so that the heifers can graze better and gain a little faster.

dun · Dec 5, 2015

I would be leery of putting a fairly recently weaned calf back with it's momma if she will be calving with in a week or a couple. The chances of the weaned calf seeing the sucking going on may get it started again. Weaned for 45 days and another month with it's momma before she calves wouldn't concern me

TCRanch · Dec 5, 2015

I've never put a weaned calf back with it's mama but we do move the bred heifers back to the central pasture and they almost always hook-up & hang with their mama. As in, we have a number of generations that are tight, including siblings & offspring. For what it's worth, I wouldn't do it.

Williamsv · Dec 5, 2015

This always amazes me, but we, too, have grown heifers that get back with their mothers when they are turned back in the pasture with them. They do not forget each other and tend to stay close.