Will Bessie raise 4?

[MurraysMutts]

I picked up 2 for 1 today.
What ya'll think?

 

[puzzled in oregon]

I picked up 2 for 1 today.
What ya'll think?

Bessie's vote - No more than 2

 

[MurraysMutts]

Bessie's vote - No more than 2

she raised 3 last year!
And in much poorer shape to start..

 

[Rmc]

It depends on your feeding program
I would recommend feeding alfalfa if you want to feed 4 calves

 

[MurraysMutts]

It depends on your feeding program
I would recommend feeding alfalfa if you want to feed 4 calves

She gets good Bermuda hay and 2 scoops of 20% cubes twice a day..

I broke the rules btw!
Heifer weighs 110
Black bull calf weighs 150

Dollar a pound is my limit.
I gave 1.03. Dern it!

 

[MurraysMutts]

Here's the lil heifer..
Shown with Bessie's other 2 for size comparison. Shes a bawling calf. Hopefully the light bulb comes on and she discovers where the milk is. I usually get calves with a dry umbilical. This one was just too good a deal. Bessie is interested..

The black bull calf already got his nose in the feed. He weighs 150.
Not even sure I wanna try him on the cow. I'm watching them. And watching this thread.

 

[alacowman1]

Slave labor..

 

[coachg]

I say 4 with feeding her ; plus make feed available for the calves

 

[kenny thomas]

You can only push an engine so hard and it will finally give out. Remember that the average milking lifespan of a Holstein is very short.

 

[gcreekrch]

I would say three and you should probably get that wet naval calf hooked to a spigot sooner than later.

 

[MurraysMutts]

I would say three and you should probably get that wet naval calf hooked to a spigot sooner than later.

No wet navels?
Do u see something I don't?
If you mean the one standing behind the cow.... that's Bessie's daughter. She nurses well. Just very petite!

Sorry guys. I should've said the red/blonde calf is the newly purchased heifer calf.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Ok.
Little black 150lb steer is eating feed well. Not even gonna try him. He will go out with my other lil feeder fishies...

Red can't seem to stop bawling long enough to try a teat! I'm gonna see how she does with feed and hay b4 I try and man handle her on a teat.

So we will not be trying 4!

Thanks for playing along guys and gals!

 

[gcreekrch]

No wet navels?
Do u see something I don't?
If you mean the one standing behind the cow.... that's Bessie's daughter. She nurses well. Just very petite!

Sorry guys. I should've said the red/blonde calf is the newly purchased heifer calf.

You said you usually get calves with a dry naval but couldn't pass this one up……….

 

[MurraysMutts]

You said you usually get calves with a dry naval but couldn't pass this one up……….

That makes sense now!

No. This calf is at least a month or more older!
Meant to say I usually get younger fresh babies that the umbilical hasn't fallen off.

 

[Cada22]

I am on the wagon of if you really like this cow and want her long term on your farm, I don't think trying to add more calves every year is a good idea. Put one extra on her and don't milk her to death. I don't think she is full jersey so milk production is not over the top.