Post by Shawn on Mar 21, 2007 12:26:16 GMT -5
This all started when my neighbor called me about 2 weeks ago saying he "had a situation". His registered angus had calved a healthy heifer. But apparently he didn't know she even was bred as she was down in the back (possible lighting strike?) and didn't think she could have even held a bull. Anyway he wanted to know if his cow died if I would raise the calf for him. He was already bottling the calf with replacer once a day as the cow wouldn't stand much for nursing.
We talked about it and both agreeing we hoped his cow made it.
Well last night he told me that his cow had died early last week. I think this calf would have been about 2 weeks old at the time, not quite sure. Anyway he said he was bottle feeding her and was going to once a day and offering her calf starter.
Isn't it too early for this calf to make much use of the starter? I know she needs more milk that this.
I'm such a bleeding heart. I know it would be such a pain for me with work, etc. to take this calf home and work with her, etc. but I can't hardly resist. So here's my questions:
1. I've fostered successfully a calf onto my cow the day of her calving. She took him after 7-10 days without too much objection. She wouldn't kick him for fear of kicking her calf, I think. Would she take a strange calf at 8+ mos. into her lactation with her heifer calf still on the property, although with a weaner in her nose?
2. Would you be concerned about the older calves bullying a new baby? I don't have any real place to separate them.
3. I've considered taking my cow over there, just around the corner. But then I'd have to milk her a few nights until the calf could take all the milk. (My cow was giving about 2 gal. on OAD when I dried her off last spring after 10 mos. of milking.) I'm nervous about her butting the calf and I couldn't watch her as well at his place.
We talked about payment. I suggested hay, he doesn't have any extra. (Although I guess I could go for next winter's hay.)
I thought maybe bull fees, although I have access to a Registered Angus bull already for a very good price.
He wants to keep the heifer, so I can't talk him out of her. I also considered a bull calf, but he won't have any at the time I'll need foster calves. So not sure what to do on that. It frankly isn't worthy my time, but when has that ever stopped me.
Help. Any ideas for this bleeding heart, who has no logical sense when it comes to these things??
Shawn
We talked about it and both agreeing we hoped his cow made it.
Well last night he told me that his cow had died early last week. I think this calf would have been about 2 weeks old at the time, not quite sure. Anyway he said he was bottle feeding her and was going to once a day and offering her calf starter.
Isn't it too early for this calf to make much use of the starter? I know she needs more milk that this.
I'm such a bleeding heart. I know it would be such a pain for me with work, etc. to take this calf home and work with her, etc. but I can't hardly resist. So here's my questions:
1. I've fostered successfully a calf onto my cow the day of her calving. She took him after 7-10 days without too much objection. She wouldn't kick him for fear of kicking her calf, I think. Would she take a strange calf at 8+ mos. into her lactation with her heifer calf still on the property, although with a weaner in her nose?
2. Would you be concerned about the older calves bullying a new baby? I don't have any real place to separate them.
3. I've considered taking my cow over there, just around the corner. But then I'd have to milk her a few nights until the calf could take all the milk. (My cow was giving about 2 gal. on OAD when I dried her off last spring after 10 mos. of milking.) I'm nervous about her butting the calf and I couldn't watch her as well at his place.
We talked about payment. I suggested hay, he doesn't have any extra. (Although I guess I could go for next winter's hay.)
I thought maybe bull fees, although I have access to a Registered Angus bull already for a very good price.
He wants to keep the heifer, so I can't talk him out of her. I also considered a bull calf, but he won't have any at the time I'll need foster calves. So not sure what to do on that. It frankly isn't worthy my time, but when has that ever stopped me.
Help. Any ideas for this bleeding heart, who has no logical sense when it comes to these things??
Shawn