What does all of that leakage of the milk pre-birth do to the colostrum the calf will need when it first nurses?
When will Honey calve?!
- Thread starter simplejoyshomestead
- Start date
farmerjan
Well-known member
They will lose some colostrum, but the quantity is actually very little in comparison. I tease some of the farmers when the cows come in to the parlor for milking that they better hurry up and get the machines on some or they will lose half their production, as they are spurting milk... but if you lose a 1/2 cup that is ALOT... usually an ounce or 2 at most. For a dairy animal, losing a couple ounces is not much with the quantity they will produce. Plus, the dripping or leaking is most noticed when they are coming in for grain or something that triggers them to have "different activity"... usually there is little to no leakage when they are laying down resting... just a little bit at most, sometimes. The bigger concern is if they lay in a dirty spot for bacteria to get up the teat orifice to cause mastitis or infection... and that is minimal risk but still something to watch out for. Just don't want her laying in the mud or a pile of manure... which they will find one pile to plop down their udder on in a 5 acre field of pristine green grass...
A calf normally cannot nurse 1/2 the available colostrum in a dairy cow's udder...for at least several nursings, so the small amount lost to leaking will not be a problem at all...
A calf normally cannot nurse 1/2 the available colostrum in a dairy cow's udder...for at least several nursings, so the small amount lost to leaking will not be a problem at all...
farmerjan
Well-known member
Tonight or by tomorrow I am pretty confident.
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
One more update- as of this evening her ligaments are completely gone and I can fit my whole hand along side her tail!! I think it’s happening tonight!
I don't remember when I have followed the birth of one calf so closely online. I hope mamma and calf come through this ok!
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
Aw everyone’s investment in this whole thing has made it a lot more special. Thank you! She arrived this morning!
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Happy day!!
Get that colostrum milked out for that sweet baby girl.
She pure jersey I presume? O boy....... I can only assume where she will live her life!!
Get that colostrum milked out for that sweet baby girl.
She pure jersey I presume? O boy....... I can only assume where she will live her life!!
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
She’s already taken a full bottle of colostrum! For being a first time mama, Honey is giving colostrum so easily for the calf. I’ll get another bottle milked for her in a few hours.
Yes she’s full jersey. We are so happy it’s a heifer, because now we will get to raise her as our next milk cow!
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Hand raised jersey cow will make you an awesome cow one day!!
No matter if ya wanna milk her, or raise extra babies. They almost always seem helpful and willing to do what ya want em to do.
Congratulations!
Look forward to many updates and welcome to the nuthouse by the way!!
Double R Ranch
Well-known member
Congratulations! A heifer to boot! Yahoo! That's fantastic! 
Be sure NOT to over feed that calf or you'll be fighting scours something fierce. Jersey calves can do down fast.
Don't forget most likely the calf won't be polled so you need to decide on dehorning or not. If done real young it's not a big deal for them.
If she was here I'd get a halter on the calf and start halter training her from day one. Makes things super easy long term for replacements. It's just another day for them if it's done from the start. I even tie my babies during milking time. They learn very quickly when it's done from day 1 (ish) and seems to really teach them patience which is very helpful down the line. Just a thought since you're planning on keeping her as a replacement.
Keep us posted on their progress! Congratulations!
Be sure NOT to over feed that calf or you'll be fighting scours something fierce. Jersey calves can do down fast.
Don't forget most likely the calf won't be polled so you need to decide on dehorning or not. If done real young it's not a big deal for them.
If she was here I'd get a halter on the calf and start halter training her from day one. Makes things super easy long term for replacements. It's just another day for them if it's done from the start. I even tie my babies during milking time. They learn very quickly when it's done from day 1 (ish) and seems to really teach them patience which is very helpful down the line. Just a thought since you're planning on keeping her as a replacement.
Keep us posted on their progress! Congratulations!
farmerjan
Well-known member
Congrats also... glad she did good and is milking out for you... Get her completely milked out and then freeze a bottles' worth of colostrum... just as a precaution...
Agree on the being careful of how much you feed her. The first week or 2, DO NOT overfeed her, @Double R Ranch is right... she should always be a little "hungry"... no matter how much she wants more or how "cute and adorable she is".... I normally feed about 3 pints a feeding for 10 days or so... then go to full bottles 2 x a day... if she is going to scour it is usually within that 2 week period and then they are usually pretty good to go..
So glad you got a heifer... will you try to find a 2nd calf wo use some of the milk and bottle feed one for you to raise up for beef or for sale to recoup some of your feed costs?
Agree on the being careful of how much you feed her. The first week or 2, DO NOT overfeed her, @Double R Ranch is right... she should always be a little "hungry"... no matter how much she wants more or how "cute and adorable she is".... I normally feed about 3 pints a feeding for 10 days or so... then go to full bottles 2 x a day... if she is going to scour it is usually within that 2 week period and then they are usually pretty good to go..
So glad you got a heifer... will you try to find a 2nd calf wo use some of the milk and bottle feed one for you to raise up for beef or for sale to recoup some of your feed costs?
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
Thank you!
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
Thank you so much for the advice!! Where do you find halters small enough?Congratulations! A heifer to boot! Yahoo! That's fantastic!
Be sure NOT to over feed that calf or you'll be fighting scours something fierce. Jersey calves can do down fast.
Don't forget most likely the calf won't be polled so you need to decide on dehorning or not. If done real young it's not a big deal for them.
If she was here I'd get a halter on the calf and start halter training her from day one. Makes things super easy long term for replacements. It's just another day for them if it's done from the start. I even tie my babies during milking time. They learn very quickly when it's done from day 1 (ish) and seems to really teach them patience which is very helpful down the line. Just a thought since you're planning on keeping her as a replacement.
Keep us posted on their progress! Congratulations!
Right now I’m feeding her a bottle morning and evening. It’s 2 quarts. Is that too much?
Travlr
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MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Atwoods and tractor supply sell some simple rope type halters that kinda self adjust. Last one I bought was like 15 bucks.
farmerjan
Well-known member
If the calf is not scouring, then it is not too much... if she starts to scour cut it back... Every calf has a threshold of tolerance for amounts. Starting them off this way, and no scours, then she ought to do fine. Often times it is just more than a jersey can handle for a week or 2.... but don't panic or overthink it... if she scours, I will feed a 1/2 bottle of just electrolytes one feeding... NO MILK, and see if they don't tighten up... then 3/4 bottle milk next feeding... and back to normal if they are doing okay. Sometimes it is no big deal, they just get loose... people do too.... sometimes it is a change of diet, sometimes it is just the weather it seems.
Double R Ranch
Well-known member
I think my tiny calf halters are goat halters. I don't use the rope ones on them because I'm leaving them on and want light responses from them from the start. Most feed stores carry them. Especially this time of year for the fair kids etc. They quickly outgrow them so they fit in actual calf halters pretty quickly. Just don't use the chain ones. Not necessary and you don't want to leave those on. I leave leather dog collars on them as they grow then switch to larger collars as they grow out of them also. Our home dairy cows are all trained for halters and collars. Collars stay on full time (snug enough not to get a foot caught but not tight) after they are a few months old and no issues with leading etc. Halters stay on full time until they are used to them and lead well. Halters are easier to start with then we work on the collars. Some people prefer collars over halters and vice versa. I like being able to go out and grab a collar and lead them in when needed vs dragging a halter out when they won't come in.
@farmerjan covered the bottles so I won't repeat that.
simplejoyshomestead
Active member
Thank you so much!! This is all new to me, and I really value all the knowledge from people with more experience.
I do have another question! I have been milking Honey for the calf bottles since birth yesterday morning, and it’s white like normal milk! I was totally expecting it to be yellow and thick. Is this normal?
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
If she's been dripping a while, she's likely lost some colostrum.
After a couple days, should be nice white yummy milk for drinking. If you milk her out into a somewhat clear container and let it sit a bit, you should be able to discern a noticeable cream line. The cream will rise to the top.
Hehe. I totally forgot Seven wore a collar for a while. With a bell!! Mainly so I could find her if she wandered.
