Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2008 12:47:05 GMT -5
I didn't end up having to do much for Shasta's condition to turn around. I'm guessing that the pasture was suddenly done providing any sustenance and adjustment was needed with feed, as she was previously doing fine and the weight drop happened suddenly and responded quickly to adjustments in her ration. Plus, her winter coat suddenly came in, all patchy at first, so I think she's doing even better for that.
So, here she is when I got her in the spring:
Last week when I was concerned and you all were so helpful:
This week (and she looks even better now and has her wool):
What I did:
put canola oil on her food, 1/2 to 1 cup twice per day, only for a few days.
an extra daily bucket of alfalfa pellets-after less than a week she started rejecting about half of these-makes me wonder, could one free-choice alfalfa without the cow overeating?
increased grain a few pounds per day. Still around 14 pounds per day. And, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but she found a way into an area previously believed to be cow proof and ate about 20 extra pounds of grain. This was the day I really started to see the change lol. I checked her constantly, I was pretty worried about that sudden change in food. Her milk production seemed to double the next day, and she gained, but other than that she handled it fine. Unintentional, but maybe it was the boost she needed.
So, questions:
#1. How does one go down to milking once per day? Should I milk her out halfways for the milking I'd like to skip, or skip it every other day? I'm pursuing a midwifery apprenticeship and the only way to get manfriend on board is to buy a machine and cut down to once/day.
#2. Do all machines require access to an outlet or power source, or are some battery powered (dumb question)? What is the cheapest I could find a used one (ballpark)/where should I look?
#3. I know every cow is different, but if I put a weaning ring on Shorty (calf) and put him in with mama, will she eventually stop being so maternal towards him and cold to me if he can't nurse?
Thanks so much, everyone! Happy holidays!
So, here she is when I got her in the spring:
Last week when I was concerned and you all were so helpful:
This week (and she looks even better now and has her wool):
What I did:
put canola oil on her food, 1/2 to 1 cup twice per day, only for a few days.
an extra daily bucket of alfalfa pellets-after less than a week she started rejecting about half of these-makes me wonder, could one free-choice alfalfa without the cow overeating?
increased grain a few pounds per day. Still around 14 pounds per day. And, I'm embarrassed to admit it, but she found a way into an area previously believed to be cow proof and ate about 20 extra pounds of grain. This was the day I really started to see the change lol. I checked her constantly, I was pretty worried about that sudden change in food. Her milk production seemed to double the next day, and she gained, but other than that she handled it fine. Unintentional, but maybe it was the boost she needed.
So, questions:
#1. How does one go down to milking once per day? Should I milk her out halfways for the milking I'd like to skip, or skip it every other day? I'm pursuing a midwifery apprenticeship and the only way to get manfriend on board is to buy a machine and cut down to once/day.
#2. Do all machines require access to an outlet or power source, or are some battery powered (dumb question)? What is the cheapest I could find a used one (ballpark)/where should I look?
#3. I know every cow is different, but if I put a weaning ring on Shorty (calf) and put him in with mama, will she eventually stop being so maternal towards him and cold to me if he can't nurse?
Thanks so much, everyone! Happy holidays!