MRRherefords
Well-known member
This morning I found a pair of twins out in the pasture. The bull calf was about 60 Lbs. and very strong, nursing and so on. The heifer was a little bit bigger than her brother, but was very weak and lethargic. The mother is young and seemed very confused and chose the bull calf as her own and followed him everywhere, thus leaving the heifer alone. I watched for a little bit and when I realized that the mother showed no interest in the heifer I brought the heifer into the barn. I have been trying to give her colostrum as well as milk replacer and she will not suck at all. The milk goes into her mouth and she swallows part and spits the other out. She is starting to get up, but she shakes as she is weak and tires out after only a few minutes and falls back down. I have a tube feeder, should I resort to that? Is there any way that I can stimulate the sucking instinct? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.