Unvaccinated bred cows, what to do

[Dave from MN]

I purchased 6 very healthy bred cows, due in the next4-6 weeks. All on their 2nd calves. The person I bought them from never beleived in vaccinations and never had any health issues. He said he raised the natural. All last years calves survived and looked great. Now that they are here I realize the holding area I built next to the "yard" isnt beefed up enough to crowd then into a chute and headgate. My question is, what is my best route. Should I do what ever I need to to get them into a rented cattle crowder/chute/headgate on wheels. Just do the Ivomec(sp?) pour now as I can do it when the are having their corn cob treat? Some people tell me I wouldnt worry about vaccinations if they havent had them in the past, others say to vaccinate. Can I give the calves a vaccination when they are born, like calfgaurd or something similar? I am beefing up the corral this spring when it thaws and will be adding a single file lane and curved corner and headgate, and will be able to hold them for working with. I would like some advice from the experienced folks on here, it seems the vets want you to vaccinate against everything, and I worry that some of their advise is "income" biased. The cattle are crosses of Red Angus/Shorthorn/Pizgauer/charlois bred to red angus and a Normande Bred to Red Angus. Any honest advice is appreciated.

 

[denoginnizer]

With that few cows , I am pretty sure you are not counting on them to make a living off of. So, I would wait until they calf. Then round everbody up. Vaccanate and worm all the cows and calves. Castrate the males.
I tend to trust my vets opinion on what vaccines to use. It never hurts to talk to others in your area about what vaccines they are using.
Make sure that you understand the difference between killed vaccine and live vaccine. Some vaccine can kill a calf if not given at the correct time.
Hope that helps

 

[dyates]

When cows are that close to term, you're not gonna get much immunity out of a vaccine if the cows have never been vaccinated before. I would wait until after they calve. I would also try to keep them as healthy and stress free as possible in the meantime. Make sure they have shelter from the wind, rain, etc. and a good diet. That doesn't mean over-feed, but feed correctly. Also try to keep them away from other cattle until 6 weeks or so after they have been vaccinated.

 

[jcarkie]

i would just wait till my regular time to work your cows and then do the regular vac & worm. calves don't need anything till they get 3 months old, just castarate and tag the usual calf stuff.