Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2011 18:31:33 GMT -5
Hello!
We have just brought home our first milk cow and I have some concerns about her condition. She is very sweet, the previous owner could milk her in the pasture with no halter or anything! She is a three year old Dexter and has a one month old (gorgeous) calf. I am usually very picky about the animals I adopt, making sure they are very healthy and in good condition, but I fell in love with Ella's (the cow) eyes and her calf is the most beautiful little thing. Also the fact the previous owner could milk her in the open was very alluring. BUT she is in very poor condition. I can feel all of her ribs and her bones are sticking out everywhere, Her coat is not healthy and she has a huge belly. Her eyes are very alert and she seems happy, but I am concerned about the belly.
I know she was not well cared for at her last home (another reason I could not leave her there). She was not a 'milk cow' per se, but she will let you milk her and we knew we wanted a Dexter. I think the guy ran out of money and was feeding his herd poor quality hay. She was also lowest on the totem pole for feeding. He gave them grain (I think it was oats) he grew, not milled, as well.
What i am wondering is what I can do to help her belly. I grew up with beef cows and the only time I saw a belly that big was if they were bloated or heavy in calf. She is neither and obviously undernoursihed. Could this mean she has parasites? What is the best way to tell and the best way to treat it? I don't really want to use chemicals as she is going to be our milk cow and I am very picky about natural, organic living. Any help would be appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Joce
We have just brought home our first milk cow and I have some concerns about her condition. She is very sweet, the previous owner could milk her in the pasture with no halter or anything! She is a three year old Dexter and has a one month old (gorgeous) calf. I am usually very picky about the animals I adopt, making sure they are very healthy and in good condition, but I fell in love with Ella's (the cow) eyes and her calf is the most beautiful little thing. Also the fact the previous owner could milk her in the open was very alluring. BUT she is in very poor condition. I can feel all of her ribs and her bones are sticking out everywhere, Her coat is not healthy and she has a huge belly. Her eyes are very alert and she seems happy, but I am concerned about the belly.
I know she was not well cared for at her last home (another reason I could not leave her there). She was not a 'milk cow' per se, but she will let you milk her and we knew we wanted a Dexter. I think the guy ran out of money and was feeding his herd poor quality hay. She was also lowest on the totem pole for feeding. He gave them grain (I think it was oats) he grew, not milled, as well.
What i am wondering is what I can do to help her belly. I grew up with beef cows and the only time I saw a belly that big was if they were bloated or heavy in calf. She is neither and obviously undernoursihed. Could this mean she has parasites? What is the best way to tell and the best way to treat it? I don't really want to use chemicals as she is going to be our milk cow and I am very picky about natural, organic living. Any help would be appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Joce