Underweight jersey

Gather App
UnlistMe
Inventry
D

dandkadams

Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2021
Messages
20
City & State/Province
Clyde River, Nova Scotia, Canada
I'm looking for advice about fattening up our jersey cow.

She's 14 months, has been wormed etc...
She was slightly over weight this winter, but dropped a bunch in June / July (it was crazy hot).
I did re-worm her, no sign of anything there.
She gets free choice Hay (1st cut right now), as well as minimal grass in her pasture. She's fed 6lbs heifer grower for grain.
We've had them in the smaller winter pens because a fire took out all our fencing and we're trying to rebuild.
Our vet just up and quit and we have yet to find another in our province.

We just measured her and she's HG 64, L 45 so according to what I can calculate that's 614.4lbs or just above the 50th percentile.
Some pictures she looks grand others, terrible.
Any suggestions for bulking her up, we'd like to have her bred this fall if we can improve her body condition, would be HUGELY appreciated!

We don't have anyone near that can advise at all and we'd hate to sell her just because we can't find the right resources. Our little beef cows are coming along great, so I'm a bit lost.
Pictures from today
 

Attachments

  • 09 02 24 b.jpg
    09 02 24 b.jpg
    301.8 KB
  • 09 02 24 c.jpg
    09 02 24 c.jpg
    286 KB
  • 09 02 24 d.jpg
    09 02 24 d.jpg
    137.8 KB
  • 09 02 24 e.jpg
    09 02 24 e.jpg
    205.3 KB
  • 09 02 24.jpg
    09 02 24.jpg
    298.3 KB
dandkadams said:
I'm looking for advice about fattening up our jersey cow.

She gets free choice Hay (1st cut right now), as well as minimal grass in her pasture. She's fed 6lbs heifer grower for grain.
Click to expand...
I'm a beef guy, not a dairy guy, but I've been around enough Jerseys that I know she looks way too skinny for her frame. I'd say about two hundred pounds light, just guessing. Something isn't working for her. Either she's not getting enough to eat or she's not processing her food well.

I suppose she could be from a genetically skinny line of animals.
 
Travlr said:
I'm a beef guy, not a dairy guy, but I've been around enough Jerseys that I know she looks way too skinny for her frame. I'd say about two hundred pounds light, just guessing. Something isn't working for her. Either she's not getting enough to eat or she's not processing her food well.

I suppose she could be from a genetically skinny line of animals.
Click to expand...
Her lineage is super awesome so I'm sure that's not it. It just seems to be a struggle getting the weight back on, trying to get some better pics of her not at weird angles.
Any suggestions?

Thinking about trying a new wormer and doing her twice next month just to be sure. As well as a new grain.
She seems to be eating and pooping fine.
 
Bodacious Ultra Quiet Deep Freezer – 5.0 Cu Ft, Compact Design, Fast Freeze, Low Power Consumption, Ideal for Home, Restaurant & Small Shops
See price on Amazon
Bodacious Ultra Quiet Deep Freezer – 5.0 Cu Ft, Compact Design, Fast Freeze, Low Power Consumption, Ideal for Home, Restaurant & Small Shops
Midea MERC04C4BAWW Chest Freezer, 3.5 Cubic Feet Freezer With Removable Basket, Interior LED Light, Adjustable Temperature, For Kitchen Apartment Office, White
See price on Amazon
Midea MERC04C4BAWW Chest Freezer, 3.5 Cubic Feet Freezer With Removable Basket, Interior LED Light, Adjustable Temperature, For Kitchen Apartment Office, White
FRIGIDAIRE Chest Deep Freezer, 7 Cu. Ft, Black Adjustable Thermostat-Removable Vinyl Coated Wire Basket-Easy Defrost Drain, Eye-Catching Stainless Steel Top Door- Garage Ready
See price on Amazon
FRIGIDAIRE Chest Deep Freezer, 7 Cu. Ft, Black Adjustable Thermostat-Removable Vinyl Coated Wire Basket-Easy Defrost Drain, Eye-Catching Stainless Steel Top Door- Garage Ready
PBfit 24 Ounce Classic Peanut Butter Powder, Powdered Peanut Butter Spread From Real Roasted Peanuts, 8g of Protein 8% DV, Gluten-Free, 60 calories, 87% less fat (Pack of 1)
See price on Amazon
PBfit 24 Ounce Classic Peanut Butter Powder, Powdered Peanut Butter Spread From Real Roasted Peanuts, 8g of Protein 8% DV, Gluten-Free, 60 calories, 87% less fat (Pack of 1)
PBfit 15 Ounce Classic Peanut Butter Powder, Powdered Peanut Butter Spread From Real Roasted Peanuts, 8g of Protein 8% DV, Gluten-Free, 60 calories, 87% less fat (Pack of 1)
See price on Amazon
PBfit 15 Ounce Classic Peanut Butter Powder, Powdered Peanut Butter Spread From Real Roasted Peanuts, 8g of Protein 8% DV, Gluten-Free, 60 calories, 87% less fat (Pack of 1)
Midea MERC07C4BAWW Chest Freezer, 7.0 Cubic Feet Freezer With Removable Basket, Interior LED Light, Adjustable Temperature, For Kitchen Apartment Office, White
See price on Amazon
Midea MERC07C4BAWW Chest Freezer, 7.0 Cubic Feet Freezer With Removable Basket, Interior LED Light, Adjustable Temperature, For Kitchen Apartment Office, White
Large Chest Freezer, 10 Cu.Ft Commercial Deep Freezer with 8 Level Adjustable Temperature(-11.2°F to 10.4°F), Energy Saving Freezer with Removable Basket, Universal Wheels, White
See price on Amazon
Large Chest Freezer, 10 Cu.Ft Commercial Deep Freezer with 8 Level Adjustable Temperature(-11.2°F to 10.4°F), Energy Saving Freezer with Removable Basket, Universal Wheels, White
Frigidaire Chest Deep Freezer, 5 Cu. Ft. Capacity, Granita Rugged Design-Adjustable Thermostat-Removable Vinyl Coated Wire Basket-Easy Defrost Drain
See price on Amazon
Frigidaire Chest Deep Freezer, 5 Cu. Ft. Capacity, Granita Rugged Design-Adjustable Thermostat-Removable Vinyl Coated Wire Basket-Easy Defrost Drain
Antarctic Star Chest Freezer 5.0 Cubic Feet Compact Freezer with Removable Baskets, Top Open Door Deep Freezer, Adjustable Temperature for Home Dorm, Bar, Basement, Kitchen, White
See price on Amazon
Antarctic Star Chest Freezer 5.0 Cubic Feet Compact Freezer with Removable Baskets, Top Open Door Deep Freezer, Adjustable Temperature for Home Dorm, Bar, Basement, Kitchen, White
PB2 Pure Peanut Butter Powder - [2 lb/32 oz Jar] - No Added Sugar, No Added Salt, No Added Preservatives - 100% All Natural Roasted Peanuts - 6g of Plant-Based Protein
See price on Amazon
PB2 Pure Peanut Butter Powder - [2 lb/32 oz Jar] - No Added Sugar, No Added Salt, No Added Preservatives - 100% All Natural Roasted Peanuts - 6g of Plant-Based Protein
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
That is a great and useful body condition chart.

She doesn't look too bad. I'd like her to be fatter. Dairy cows seem frail to people used to chunky beef cattle, it is dairy character. Here is my heifer when she was that age on green grass and 6lb of stocker grower.
100_2245.JPG
100_2246 (2).JPG

I'd like to read Farmerjan's opinion. She will probably show up soon.
 
Rancher said:
Is she drinking plenty of water? Had a guy w/beefers that fed his heard all winter good hay. Winter rough up, 60f below at times. Problem was the water froze 5 minutes afte breaking ice and they never got enough to properly digest their hay. In your case heat stress will have same result
Click to expand...
Yup, water troughs are dumped, wiped and refilled each morning.
 
I notice my 16% dairy mix has more rolled corn in it than the stocker grower because milking cows need extra calories. Maybe you could gradually switch her over to a dairy ration.
 
dandkadams said:
Yup, water troughs are dumped, wiped and refilled each morning.
Click to expand...
Really???

Cows are ruminants, which means they have a specific kind of biome in their gut which is invigorated by trading saliva between healthy animals. Does she have contact with the beef animals? Maybe she's getting water that's too sterile and it's messing with her rumen.

First time I've ever heard of somebody cleaning their water trough daily...
 
Travlr said:
Really???

Cows are ruminants, which means they have a specific kind of biome in their gut which is invigorated by trading saliva between healthy animals. Does she have contact with the beef animals? Maybe she's getting water that's too sterile and it's messing with her rumen.

First time I've ever heard of somebody cleaning their water trough daily...
Click to expand...
Just wiped not washed, they are smaller troughs and she lives with 2 beef calves.
All 3 are 4H (she's done 4H) so the kids dump wipe and fill each morning as part of chores
Perhaps the should just refill and only wipe every week?
 
Cleaning the water trough is like washing the coffee pot, I understand it ruins the flavor.
You may also see an improvement in her condition once she becomes pregnant.
 
dandkadams said:
Just wiped not washed, they are smaller troughs and she lives with 2 beef calves.
All 3 are 4H (she's done 4H) so the kids dump wipe and fill each morning as part of chores
Perhaps the should just refill and only wipe every week?
Click to expand...
The only reason I've ever cleaned a trough is because it was emptied to be moved. And I keep goldfish in troughs to keep the mosquitos and algae down, so the water is always dirty by human standards.

Cleaning a trough is like worrying about cow poop in your pastures.
 
I have some pretty fat goldfish too. But eventually the fish shite builds up and I don't like that. Cows do prefer fresh clean water as proven in commercial dairies.

Speaking of breeding what are you going to use for a bull? Many jersey first calf heifers bred to beef bulls have to have their calves pulled. They should be bred with heifer bulls. Is there any way you can get it done by artificial insemination?
 
TexasJerseyMilker said:
I have some pretty fat goldfish too. But eventually the fish shite builds up and I don't like that. Cows do prefer fresh clean water as proven in commercial dairies.

Speaking of breeding what are you going to use for a bull? Many jersey first calf heifers bred to beef bulls have to have their calves pulled. They should be bred with heifer bulls. Is there any way you can get it done by artificial insemination?
Click to expand...
Thanks! Unfortunately we are unable to do AI until we move next year, there are literally no vets left.
I do have a friend that runs a beef operation, but used to be a vet tech. She has an extra small bull that throws 60+65lb calves and has offered to board and breed her for us if we want when she returns in the fall to her farm.
She hasn't been around to help with conditioning pre breeding, hence we came here.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top