Separating calf time frame questions…
Apr 8, 2024 15:33:16 GMT -5
via mobile
hoperefuge, trina b, and 2 more like this
Post by Applelonia on Apr 8, 2024 15:33:16 GMT -5
Ideally how long should calf be left with momma cow before I pull calf and bottle feed if the milk will be quite different?
I know colostrum benefits are about done at 24 hour mark. Would a couple extra days be beneficial to calf’s health/long term immune system to leave calf with momma …or a little longer?
Calf will be getting switched to Guernsey milk - it is very different milk than Randall - I need to be careful when switching because the fat content is so much higher - protein tends to be as well. Ivory and Dorsett were about a month when switched. Took them some time to get adjusted to it. Ideally I’d like to switch this calf much sooner.
Heiffy calved ~ 1am water sac presented/broke. 2:20 calf was born.
I had been praying for Heiffy and calf leading up to the birth …The Lord really answered so many prayers!!
Of all the places she could have had calf …she could have gone outside …but she laid down with her rump facing the inside stall door. So calf was literally inches away from the door!!
Sac was over calf and calf was gurgling. Got sac off and nose and mouth cleared of liquid. And positioned a little better.
Heiffy was rather befuddled and not getting up for about 3 minutes which was another blessing as it gave me time to get calf’s head/mouth attended to.
Calf was up within 30 mins. Very alert. Good on feet.
Didn’t want to nurse right away. There was no way to encourage calf to drink - as I can not enter the stall with Heiffy. And even pre calf I couldn’t get near her udder. I had debated removing calf immediately and feeding powered colostrum but I’d prefer for calf to get her colostrum. I saw on calf cam a few hours later calf was nursing. And I confirmed that back teats are drier looking. Not nursed yet on those. Fronts are smooth - shiny. Nursed.
Heiffy is quite calm all things considered but is very protective. Her temperament is a herd cow - wants people to be hands off and give her space on a good day. And she’s doing what a good momma cows does full protection of calf. She’s not used to being locked in…but I closed the Dutch door as we might be getting rain/wind later and if she takes calf out I can’t get calf back in.
I was hanging around to see if calf might drink more but Heiffy was getting nervous - so I’m staying away and trusting that if calf found the milk once she’s good and knows where food is 🙂
Heiffy is already warning calf about me 😒 …there’s no question if I want any chance of calf being calm and able to handled I need to pull and bottle feed.
I know colostrum benefits are about done at 24 hour mark. Would a couple extra days be beneficial to calf’s health/long term immune system to leave calf with momma …or a little longer?
Calf will be getting switched to Guernsey milk - it is very different milk than Randall - I need to be careful when switching because the fat content is so much higher - protein tends to be as well. Ivory and Dorsett were about a month when switched. Took them some time to get adjusted to it. Ideally I’d like to switch this calf much sooner.
Heiffy calved ~ 1am water sac presented/broke. 2:20 calf was born.
I had been praying for Heiffy and calf leading up to the birth …The Lord really answered so many prayers!!
Of all the places she could have had calf …she could have gone outside …but she laid down with her rump facing the inside stall door. So calf was literally inches away from the door!!
Sac was over calf and calf was gurgling. Got sac off and nose and mouth cleared of liquid. And positioned a little better.
Heiffy was rather befuddled and not getting up for about 3 minutes which was another blessing as it gave me time to get calf’s head/mouth attended to.
Calf was up within 30 mins. Very alert. Good on feet.
Didn’t want to nurse right away. There was no way to encourage calf to drink - as I can not enter the stall with Heiffy. And even pre calf I couldn’t get near her udder. I had debated removing calf immediately and feeding powered colostrum but I’d prefer for calf to get her colostrum. I saw on calf cam a few hours later calf was nursing. And I confirmed that back teats are drier looking. Not nursed yet on those. Fronts are smooth - shiny. Nursed.
Heiffy is quite calm all things considered but is very protective. Her temperament is a herd cow - wants people to be hands off and give her space on a good day. And she’s doing what a good momma cows does full protection of calf. She’s not used to being locked in…but I closed the Dutch door as we might be getting rain/wind later and if she takes calf out I can’t get calf back in.
I was hanging around to see if calf might drink more but Heiffy was getting nervous - so I’m staying away and trusting that if calf found the milk once she’s good and knows where food is 🙂
Heiffy is already warning calf about me 😒 …there’s no question if I want any chance of calf being calm and able to handled I need to pull and bottle feed.