Post by cowbelle on Nov 17, 2019 14:11:29 GMT -5
Hello,
I became a member here years ago, but I have mostly browsed and haven't been active otherwise.
I am in need of advice and suggestions now. Here is the situation: a friend of mine had a cow go down, and she was unable to keep and care for that cow's ten week old twin heifers (now orphaned). I brought them home, and I have them in a nice barn stall with an attached paddock. They have water, grass, and quality hay available always, and I have been attempting to get them onto a bottle (milk replacer), but I have not had success yet. They are also being offered Calf Manna, plus two other kinds of pellets/creep feed that from the label are intended for young calves.
What I would like to get here is some advice on how best to care for these babies. They are quite thin at the moment, with big bellies - likely because there was about 10 days between their mother going down and me getting them. After the time I have had them (about five days) I think they are starting to look a little better. They are active, they are eager to drink their water and eat their hay and pellets and grass. Their poop looks like normal cow poop.
Is there any hope of getting them onto the bottle? How much should they be eating of the pellets? I read the instructions on the bags, and I have been trying to research what I should do to make sure they are receiving the best possible care.
I also am a little concerned about what might have caused the mother to die - I don't know enough about the situation to be certain. I worry about disease, or a genetic component.
I am open to any suggestions, and I appreciate the time and attention given to this post. I am happy to answer any questions, and I can supply photographs as well.
Thank you all,
Annika
I became a member here years ago, but I have mostly browsed and haven't been active otherwise.
I am in need of advice and suggestions now. Here is the situation: a friend of mine had a cow go down, and she was unable to keep and care for that cow's ten week old twin heifers (now orphaned). I brought them home, and I have them in a nice barn stall with an attached paddock. They have water, grass, and quality hay available always, and I have been attempting to get them onto a bottle (milk replacer), but I have not had success yet. They are also being offered Calf Manna, plus two other kinds of pellets/creep feed that from the label are intended for young calves.
What I would like to get here is some advice on how best to care for these babies. They are quite thin at the moment, with big bellies - likely because there was about 10 days between their mother going down and me getting them. After the time I have had them (about five days) I think they are starting to look a little better. They are active, they are eager to drink their water and eat their hay and pellets and grass. Their poop looks like normal cow poop.
Is there any hope of getting them onto the bottle? How much should they be eating of the pellets? I read the instructions on the bags, and I have been trying to research what I should do to make sure they are receiving the best possible care.
I also am a little concerned about what might have caused the mother to die - I don't know enough about the situation to be certain. I worry about disease, or a genetic component.
I am open to any suggestions, and I appreciate the time and attention given to this post. I am happy to answer any questions, and I can supply photographs as well.
Thank you all,
Annika