4 day old calf not nursing properly
Jan 2, 2019 23:34:16 GMT -5
jerseyrose, Applelonia, and 4 more like this
Post by nina on Jan 2, 2019 23:34:16 GMT -5
Applelonia mommasquilts Dagwood is a little better, I'd say he has a chance of making it if he doesn't get drenched with rain tonight. He picked up with a tubing but was exhausted. I have another pair, a super pregnant cow, and my Wagyu LuLu with the mom and baby. The Wagyu snuck in when I was sorting. I opened up two sides of a big barn and put a round bale in one hall and the other horse quality hay and sprinkled grain all over the hay to try to entice the cows to stay out of the rain. Dagwood nestled into a stall piled high with straw. His mom has changed from being somewhat indifferent to very nervous about him. I think they bonded better overnight or all the extra handling of the calf got her protective. Mom had him out in the rain this morning but it was a misty rain. Now it is a steady strong rain and about 48 degrees. The mom is claustrophobic, which is odd because I locked her in a small calf barn with a small run when she had a calf before with no problems. This new barn is way bigger but she is very nervous when the door shuts and almost stepped on him several times trying to get out, hence the open doors. Oddly the other cows are perfectly calm inside. The heavily pregnant cow, Curly is my meanest cow, (first time heifer) and she let me pet and scratch her today for the first time. Oh, mom's udder looked looser this morning so I think he is getting something naturally or she is drying up. I'm really trying hard to get the mom, Dahow to do all the work raising Dagwood. I'm really afraid of MR and scours, though I would like a house cow. Having a little group of cows together I think is safer, and Curly used to be mean enough to chase off coyotes. Now I'm not so sure she do anything to protect Dagwood. Luckily his mom is starting to be much more attentive. I don't know why she lost him to start with. When I first caught him she hardly looked up from eating. Now she keeps a sharp eye on him. I guess hormones make cows a little unpredictable. Curly has been crabby from day one and now is suddenly seeking affection? Dahow is usually gentle and calm, now freaking out if you lock her up. Anyhow, I think Dagwood is in stable but guarded condition. He's not as hunched and moos if his mom gets a little too far away and follows though he looks weak walking. I just hope having water and the best hay in the barn will keep mom from going to the other end of the pasture with deep mud and driving rain where the other round bales are tonight. Dahow is not my brightest cow, but the others seem very happy with the new set up, including Dagwood. He found a deep pile of straw and plopped down for the night.