Weaning question and how to recomendations needed.

[Cormac]

I have two 7 month old heifers and both thier mamas are due in 2-3 months (may be sooner for one). Up until this week both mothers were looking great. They both still look good but I think the calves pulling on them, the drought, the heat, and pregnancy are taking thier toll. They just look slightly thinner than my other cows. So I have to act.
First off, I do not have a permanent corral at this point. I know, I know. I originally planned to simply grow hay, but really have been taken by the Angus. So in came the cows. Unfortunately, the cash I put aside for a full blown corral just went to buying hay. I plan to keep the heifers. I have two pastures divided with barb wire, so I could separate them that way. I also have a few friends that could take them to their farm for a month or so.
How long do they have to be separated? What are the chances that when the heifers return, and a new calf is born, that they will go right back to work on moma? I am really concerned that I have to do something now, so a little guidance is needed and absolutely appreciated. Someone suggested a "blab" but I'd prefer not to use hardware if possible. Thanks

 

[dun]

If you have water in both of the patures seperated by the barb and can put a trough for feeding a grain supplement in one, run a single strand of hot wire a couple of foot inside the side you want to put the calves in and seperate them from the cows. 6-8 weeks is long enough (usually). Or the idea of moving the heifers to another farm for 6-8 weeks would work too. It's harder on the calves and harder on the ears and nerves but there are a lot of people that wean that way. My preference is for the fenceline weaning method.

dun

 

[msscamp]

What are the chances that when the heifers return, and a new calf is born, that they will go right back to work on moma?

Usually it is not all that common, but it does happen. We had an incident happen this past spring where a yearling heifer (had been seperated from her mother since about 6-7 months of age) went right back to sucking as soon as she was put back with her. Mom was a 3 year old - bred back, but hadn't calved yet - and took up with her previous years calf like they had never been seperated. I would keep an eye on the cows and calves when they are reunited to make sure there is not a problem.

 

[Susie David]

Hard fact is that it is usually the better mothers that allow the weanlings back on the teat. We like to keep them seperated for
two months or more...the bigger steers just go in the steer paddock with the big boys and get to learn the new pecking order...see our atvar.
DMc

 

[alabama]

What Dun said. I would like to add that the balling will stop after 3 days and they will go back on feed in about a week. If you put them back with momma in the next 8 weeks they will start milking again. The only way to keep them in the pin is a hot wire.
Also you will need to vacanate the calves. If you do nothing else be sure and vacanate for black leg or they will die.