Weaned ?

[325abn]

What is the typical seperation time frame needed to wean a calf?

The calf is a one year old.

Thanks!

 

[birdog]

5 months past due. We try to wean at 6 1/2 to 7 months. All calves are different, but it usually takes 30 to 45 days for us. It really isn't an issue for us because when we wean we move the calves to a different pasture. The retained heifers aren't re-introduced for another 6 to 7 months. Good luck.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

Good call birdog. Having a year old calf sucking a cow is a little like a 5 year old kid still nursing his mom. Some cows can support that just fine depending on their diet, but some cows, nursing a calf for a full year will cause the cow to drop more weight than what you want.

It will take a while to wean the calves, I'm sure there are some really good threads on "weaning" here. I wean my calves in the facilities by my house. The winter lot where I keep the cows is down the lane, around the bend, over the bridge, past the creek downhill from the house. I only string one hot wire across the access road in the winter lot where the cows are, and it keeps most of them in their respective pen. The cows that refuse to give up their calf yet will hop over the wire, and trot up to the house, to the pipe corrall pins and cry. :cry2: The first morning after I might have a dozen cows back up to the house. Me and my dogs will escort the cows back down to where they belong. The next morning there might be a half dozen cows. Usually after about a week, the cows will stay where they belong, and stop crying. The calves might take a couple days longer or so. Yep, every year around thanksgiving at my house, I get a calf serrinade. :banana:

 

[angie1]

At this calfs age, might take a bit longer than 30-45 days I am thinking. Ours are seperated out at 7 months and kept seperate for the winter (in Mn thats 6 months, you will probably not need that long). I would go the full 45, and watch carefully when you put them back together.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

... and watch carefully when you put them back together.

put them back together? Hmmmm..... I dont put mine back together, they stay seperated forever, after that. :cowboy:

 

[angie1]

put them back together? Hmmmm..... I dont put mine back together, they stay seperated forever, after that. :cowboy:

That is not practical for many people. We seperate out our steers forever, but not our heifers. It would not work best for us.

Also, the way the question was phrased indicates it is a single calf, and I personally don't feel it is in the best interest of the calf to seperate it permenantly. It will perform better if it is reunited with the other/s.

Finally, s/he asked for a "time frame" which is a starting and an ending point. That is what he was given.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

...That is not practical for many people. We seperate out our steers forever, but not our heifers. It would not work best for us.

Ah..... what do you do with your heifers? Keep them all back as replacements? Do they run with the rest of the cows then? Just curious. I just assumed everyone did what I did.

Also, the way the question was phrased indicates it is a single calf, and I personally don't feel it is in the best interest of the calf to seperate it permenantly. It will perform better if it is reunited with the other/s.

Finally, s/he asked for a "time frame" which is a starting and an ending point. That is what he was given.

You're right. I've found when I have a bottle calf, they aren't happy by themselves. Sometimes I will put an animal like that with my bulls (providing there is no danger of breeding) just to keep them happy. :banana:

 

[dun]

Ah..... what do you do with your heifers? Keep them all back as replacements? Do they run with the rest of the cows then? Just curious. I just assumed everyone did what I did.

Our heifers are held appart from the cows until thr steers ship, about 6-8 weeks then back with the cow herd for the winter.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

ahhh....... hmmmmmmm :kid:

 

[angie1]

...That is not practical for many people. We seperate out our steers forever, but not our heifers. It would not work best for us.

Ah..... what do you do with your heifers? Keep them all back as replacements? Do they run with the rest of the cows then? Just curious. I just assumed everyone did what I did.

No, they will not all be kept as replacements. Some will be fed out with the steers and eaten. We keep our replacement heifers that we will be keeping as replacements out from the cows longer than dun, because they are grained their first winter, and the cows and bred heifers are not. In the spring before calving, all are put together and share a common pasture. The bull is then taken from the cows and put into the heifers wintering area. I hope that makes sense.

 

[msscamp]

What is the typical seperation time frame needed to wean a calf?

The calf is a one year old.

Thanks!

That is going to vary from operation to operation, owner to owner, and calf to calf. Some people seperate for 30-60 days. We seperated our weaning replacement heifers from the main herd until they were due to calve as 2 year olds. Cull heifers and steers were never put back into the main herd. I would suggest a minimum of 60 days if you have the facilities for that time frame.

 

[grannysoo]

We go a minimum of 60 days. Seems that if we don't go that long, one of them ends back up on the tit.

 

[nap]

We wean by enclosing the calves in part of the working facility surrounded by corral panels. The cows are allowed to stay around the corral for a couple of days or until they lose interest. We find that this creates less stress on both mom and baby. As far as the length of time, we have found this to be variable. Some it takes just a few weeks separation and we have had calves that try to nurse after being separated for 6 months. In the second case they are destined to take a ride on the bus.

 

[ToddFarmsInc]

...we have had calves that try to nurse after being separated for 6 months. In the second case they are destined to take a ride on the bus.

I had a full grown cow that I caught doing that once. I asked my neighbor about that, he said "put wheels under her" and that's what I did. ;-)

 

[325abn]

Thanks for all the input. I only have the two cows. The calf is heading to the butcher in the Fall and unless I can sell the mom she is also heading that way. I know I was way over due in weaning the calf. I was hopping to put some weight back on the mom before she has to go.

When I first seperated the two the cows utter got huge and looked like it woud burst but has now scrunk a great deal. It it possible for a cow to start making milk again if the calf tried to nurse after being seperated?

 

[Brute 23]

Our cattle would have kicked that calf off already... no need to wean.

 

[angie1]

Is it possible for a cow to start making milk again if the calf tried to nurse after being seperated?

Maybe it is just a tale, but I have been told that yes, it is possible and probable.

 

[ScottP]

Here's a couple of videos that touch on this subject:

Beef Cattle Development
http://www.24-7agtv.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&Itemid=0&id=82

Beef Cow Nutrition
http://www.24-7agtv.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&Itemid=1&id=98

Economics of Reproductions
http://www.24-7agtv.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&Itemid=0&id=66