Twins (help)

[JHH]

Cow had twins last night, all are ok but when I checked on them this morning a cow that had her calf (one in pic on another thread) two weeks ago has claimed one of them. I do not know if it got any colostrum.Even if it did I really dont think she could raise both calves.I am going out now to give colostrum from bottle. I am going to bottle feed this one I guess.The new mom doesnt want the other calf. Is this wrong to take calf off the cow?

 

[bigbull338]

no it isnt rong to bottle raise that calf.b/c if you dont bottle it .you will end up losing it.your taking no chances feeding it clostrum an thats good.scott

 

[flaboy]

JHH, it's ok to bottle feed but I would keep trying to get the calf back on its mom. As it gains strength it should go to its mom. Now if the mom starts kicking and pitching a fit when it trys to nurse, you will have a bottle baby on your hands for awhile. Don't give up on mom too quick.

 

[mgman]

As long as the calf's mother has enough milk to feed both calves I would definitely try to get it's mother to take it. It might take some work for a few days, but still less work than having a bottle calf to feed.

 

[stocky]

Cows with twins have always been problems for me. You are fine to bottle feed it, like Scott said, if you dont, it will die. You can keep trying to get it to suck it's mother. Normally you will get more pounds of beef from a bottle calf and a calf on the cow than both calves on the cow unless you creep feed. Good luck with whichever you decide.

 

[JHH]

Its around 7:30 brought in (new calf)? around 1:00 have tried to feed colostrum with bottle calf doesnt act hungary and cant get it to take the bottle.Could the cow that had calf 8-22 had twins instead of the cow that calved last night? This calf looks identical to the other one except that it is a heifer.Did not actually see cow have twins but had never seen this calf before. My 207 cow that calved 8-22 has always hidden calf and I always have to hunt for it, but new calf seems wobbly like its not very old. Should I tube this new calf or wait till later? Its up and seems stong. Have never tubed calf before had a friend that raises cows come with me and he looked at them He seems to think that Its not that old but he agrees that it looks identical to the other one.He didnt want to tube it, says that he has killed one calf before buy doing that and didnt want to be responsible for it. any suggestions?
Thanks JHH

 

[Mahoney Pursley Ranch]

I had a similar problem with a calf(not a twin). Thought the momma was ignoring it. Found it baking in the sun,one day old. Took the calf in the house and tried forcing the bottle with colostrum,no dice. Called a friend from this forum who's advice I value highly. He told me if the calfs poop was mustard yellow it had gotten colostrum from the momma and had sucked. I returned the calf to the pasture and the momma took to the calf at once. I observed it suck. That was 4 days ago and all is well. Calf is doing great!n I guess I just panicked. Hope this helps.

 

[JHH]

Well got calf to take bottle this morning and all others seem ok,fed bottle this evening also. Little gal sucked them right down.Guess we will see how things go thanks for everthing,never had twins before.JHH