Post by Deleted on May 8, 2011 18:36:11 GMT -5
Hi, I've been milking for years now and never get on unless I have a predicament -- sorry -- and this one concerns a new calf born this morning, right on time to a first-time mom. The little black (1/2 Angus) heifer was dry & frisky this morning when we got up. She looked like she was full and was getting plenty of attention (here's the problem): from grandma! The old Jersey (Daffney) has had lots of experience and knew exactly what to do to midwife for her 20-month-old daughter, Bella. She loves babies and probably thought this was the easiest one ever! Everything seemed great until we realized the baby was nursing off the wrong mama (= NO colostrum) and that the real mama wasn't exactly pleased with this new arrival and kept backing away when she approached. We moved grandma but baby tried to follow and they both laid right by the fence to be close to one another. We put Bella in the stanchion and tried to get the baby to nurse with no luck and ended up hand-milking to get a bottle to feed the calf. (Milking was actually much easier than expected, although it took two of us and I didn't attempt to attach the milker yet.)
Well, of course, the baby doesn't want the bottle because it's full, I guess. It's been in the world for 12 hours, at least, and I'm very concerned about the lack of colostrum. I've never tried to tube one, although I'm skittish about that after doing harm with a turkey baster years ago when the vet insisted I get more into a preemie twin. She's had about 8 oz of the bottle all day and is getting fed up with our trying to force it on her. Is that enough colostrum for now? Could the early milk cause a problem? Should I be worried? Will the old Jersey's milk be okay (eventually, if not now) since I was hoping to share-milk OAD? Daffney's 20 months into this lactation, not bred, and only gives 1/2 gal/day. Boy, nothing ever goes to plan but she sure is cute and everyone seems healthy, too, at this point.
Anyone ever had this happen and have advise? They are all 3 separated now but we have only one milking area to share and the baby does need to eat! I'm going to leave her alone a couple hours and try the bottle again, I guess. Then I suppose we'll have to milk the mama again? Home dairy life was very simple until today...
Well, of course, the baby doesn't want the bottle because it's full, I guess. It's been in the world for 12 hours, at least, and I'm very concerned about the lack of colostrum. I've never tried to tube one, although I'm skittish about that after doing harm with a turkey baster years ago when the vet insisted I get more into a preemie twin. She's had about 8 oz of the bottle all day and is getting fed up with our trying to force it on her. Is that enough colostrum for now? Could the early milk cause a problem? Should I be worried? Will the old Jersey's milk be okay (eventually, if not now) since I was hoping to share-milk OAD? Daffney's 20 months into this lactation, not bred, and only gives 1/2 gal/day. Boy, nothing ever goes to plan but she sure is cute and everyone seems healthy, too, at this point.
Anyone ever had this happen and have advise? They are all 3 separated now but we have only one milking area to share and the baby does need to eat! I'm going to leave her alone a couple hours and try the bottle again, I guess. Then I suppose we'll have to milk the mama again? Home dairy life was very simple until today...