Post by LibertyFarms on Feb 6, 2012 21:04:44 GMT -5
When my kiddos went to catch the bus this morning, my son called to me on the porch and said that June, the first calf heifer, looked like she needed to poo, but nothing was coming out, so I better get up there quick, the baby had to be coming...sweet kids have been watching/obsessing as much as me, especially since her udder has at least doubled in size over the last week.
Anyway, sure enough she was in labor, so I rearranged how her pen/paddock was set up. Decided to quit obsessing and give her some space, and came inside to check out KFC to see what else I needed to do. Was only in for about 15 mins and thought I'd better look out and check on her...and I saw a hoof hanging out!!! All went well and we now have a new little jersey/angus heifer..YAY!!
While obsessing over June and her baby, watching for signs of MF and making sure baby got up and nursed, I noticed that her left rear teat seemed to be leaking out the side...couldn't tell for sure since the baby was trying to nurse and everytime she'd bump the teat and try to get it in her mouth, milk would squirt everywhere.
When I went out tonight to milk, sure enough milk is coming out of both the hole on the side AND the regular hole....oh my gosh what am I going to do?? There is no apparent injury, but the teat does seem to balloon a little right above the hole. I realize ALL the potential problems this hole could cause, and I will be putting a call into the vet first thing in the morning, but do I need to call before then? Do I need to do anything else tonight? It seemed as I milked it that the stream from the side was getting stronger and the stream from the regular oriface was getting weaker, so I quit milking it.
Otherwise, milking seemed to go OK, except for when she ran out of grain, which made her think it was ok to try and kick...did I mention I don't have an anti-kick device yet On the plus side, June has no pain in that teat while milking...she was actually more irritated with me milking the other back teat, weirdo But all in all pretty good for the first timer
I have seen yet to be named baby is nursing on the three good teats, but not the holey one. She is super cute, and almost looks sable colored...I'm sure she will turn black though. She was up and "bucking" about tonight, as well as a little 1/2 day old can do anyway
So...what would y'all suggest about the teat? Anything else I need to be doing/watching for tonight?
Rya
Anyway, sure enough she was in labor, so I rearranged how her pen/paddock was set up. Decided to quit obsessing and give her some space, and came inside to check out KFC to see what else I needed to do. Was only in for about 15 mins and thought I'd better look out and check on her...and I saw a hoof hanging out!!! All went well and we now have a new little jersey/angus heifer..YAY!!
While obsessing over June and her baby, watching for signs of MF and making sure baby got up and nursed, I noticed that her left rear teat seemed to be leaking out the side...couldn't tell for sure since the baby was trying to nurse and everytime she'd bump the teat and try to get it in her mouth, milk would squirt everywhere.
When I went out tonight to milk, sure enough milk is coming out of both the hole on the side AND the regular hole....oh my gosh what am I going to do?? There is no apparent injury, but the teat does seem to balloon a little right above the hole. I realize ALL the potential problems this hole could cause, and I will be putting a call into the vet first thing in the morning, but do I need to call before then? Do I need to do anything else tonight? It seemed as I milked it that the stream from the side was getting stronger and the stream from the regular oriface was getting weaker, so I quit milking it.
Otherwise, milking seemed to go OK, except for when she ran out of grain, which made her think it was ok to try and kick...did I mention I don't have an anti-kick device yet On the plus side, June has no pain in that teat while milking...she was actually more irritated with me milking the other back teat, weirdo But all in all pretty good for the first timer
I have seen yet to be named baby is nursing on the three good teats, but not the holey one. She is super cute, and almost looks sable colored...I'm sure she will turn black though. She was up and "bucking" about tonight, as well as a little 1/2 day old can do anyway
So...what would y'all suggest about the teat? Anything else I need to be doing/watching for tonight?
Rya