Post by chaparra72 on Jan 18, 2012 14:21:17 GMT -5
Hello all. Sorry I have not posted more on Poppy and her new calf, but I have been to busy to do anything but take care of her, tha baby and my kids the past few days! Iknow you allknow how I feel right about now, overwhelmed to say the least. My husband is only home for a few days a few times a month, so it is just me and the kids basically.
I really don't know what I would do without all of the wisdom I have gleaned over the years from all of you folks, you are a great blessing to me.
I have been struggling the past few days with Poppy, as she has developed ketosis, though I have stayed on top of it from the get go. I have been drenching her with Dr.Register's Nia+ Drench morning and night, as well as administering b-complex, and this morning she is looking much more alert and perky. I am so relieved, but I know she is not out of the woods yet.
Also, because she has not felt well since calving, up until today, she had not shown much interest in the calf. My new cow that I bought in Nov. has "adopted" her, she seriously thinks it is her calf, and has been giving me hell at milking time because of that. Today however, Poppy is showing much more interest in the baby, so hopefully it will all get sorted out. Baby had plenty of colostrum, so that is not an issue anymore.
However, the reason for this new thread is due to the calf. She is dumb, really. I have been blessed with mostly dumb calves (except for my first calf birthed here, and a bull to boot), so I know it isn't uncommon, but I need some advise. I have been tube feeding her since birth (2 days ago), but I want her to start nursing. She tried really hard for awhile this morning, but just couldn't fint the teat. And of course, every time I tried to help guide her to it, she just fought me. I think we are both frustrated! Should I just not feed her anymore, so hopefully she gets hungry enough to figure it out? I wouldn't worry so much if is weren't cold. Any tips to help her find it and latch on? I am desperate! lol
Thanks for your help, you guys are great!
I really don't know what I would do without all of the wisdom I have gleaned over the years from all of you folks, you are a great blessing to me.
I have been struggling the past few days with Poppy, as she has developed ketosis, though I have stayed on top of it from the get go. I have been drenching her with Dr.Register's Nia+ Drench morning and night, as well as administering b-complex, and this morning she is looking much more alert and perky. I am so relieved, but I know she is not out of the woods yet.
Also, because she has not felt well since calving, up until today, she had not shown much interest in the calf. My new cow that I bought in Nov. has "adopted" her, she seriously thinks it is her calf, and has been giving me hell at milking time because of that. Today however, Poppy is showing much more interest in the baby, so hopefully it will all get sorted out. Baby had plenty of colostrum, so that is not an issue anymore.
However, the reason for this new thread is due to the calf. She is dumb, really. I have been blessed with mostly dumb calves (except for my first calf birthed here, and a bull to boot), so I know it isn't uncommon, but I need some advise. I have been tube feeding her since birth (2 days ago), but I want her to start nursing. She tried really hard for awhile this morning, but just couldn't fint the teat. And of course, every time I tried to help guide her to it, she just fought me. I think we are both frustrated! Should I just not feed her anymore, so hopefully she gets hungry enough to figure it out? I wouldn't worry so much if is weren't cold. Any tips to help her find it and latch on? I am desperate! lol
Thanks for your help, you guys are great!