Post by missy on Jul 13, 2009 7:35:25 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I'm stressing out waiting for my first calf (not my cow's first) and reading everything there is about anything vaguely related and getting myself more and more stressed!
I'd like to ask about feeding, particularly from an Aussie slant.
I have a 10yo dexter (1/4 jersey) who apparently calves easily. I have to find out more about whether she has ever had complications. She's due somewhere between September and November, probably about October if she bred quickly after her last calf, she was running with a bull.
Anyway, after reading everything I could tonight about milk fever and ketosis I have gotten my knickers in a knot!
So some background first ... I live in Northern NSW and we aren't in drought although we have just had a flood. The grass is green but there isn't much new growth. Kelly is grazing approx 2 acres with 2 miniature horses and spends a fair time grazing each day.
I currently feed her 1 biscuit of lucerne each morning and sometimes another in the evening. She seems to act hungry, she runs to her feed area every time we head that way and seems to wait for more. (or is it just that lucerne is chocolate to cows???)
When I bought Kelly 6 weeks ago her previous owner said she had lost some condition (but I don't really know how much etc). Although I think she looks as if she could do with fattening up a little.
What do I do? Round here I see cows with pasture and some hay or a feed trough. But on the whole I am under the impression that cows round here eat grass! No one puts cows away in the winter and hand feeds them - it's no where near that cold or bare here.
I've also just realised that lucerne is what Americans alfalfa (duh) and therefore should according to the American way cut this out before she calves. Is that what we Aussie's do? What do I replace her lucerne with? Should she be having grain or minerals or something else instead of or as well as???
And what about after she calves? What do I feed her then?
Feeling very confused after too much reading ... hoping desperately for a simple answer. Anyone???
Here's some pics, I hope they are helpful even though they aren't the best. Also anyone want to hazard a guess at how pregnant she might be?
I'm stressing out waiting for my first calf (not my cow's first) and reading everything there is about anything vaguely related and getting myself more and more stressed!
I'd like to ask about feeding, particularly from an Aussie slant.
I have a 10yo dexter (1/4 jersey) who apparently calves easily. I have to find out more about whether she has ever had complications. She's due somewhere between September and November, probably about October if she bred quickly after her last calf, she was running with a bull.
Anyway, after reading everything I could tonight about milk fever and ketosis I have gotten my knickers in a knot!
So some background first ... I live in Northern NSW and we aren't in drought although we have just had a flood. The grass is green but there isn't much new growth. Kelly is grazing approx 2 acres with 2 miniature horses and spends a fair time grazing each day.
I currently feed her 1 biscuit of lucerne each morning and sometimes another in the evening. She seems to act hungry, she runs to her feed area every time we head that way and seems to wait for more. (or is it just that lucerne is chocolate to cows???)
When I bought Kelly 6 weeks ago her previous owner said she had lost some condition (but I don't really know how much etc). Although I think she looks as if she could do with fattening up a little.
What do I do? Round here I see cows with pasture and some hay or a feed trough. But on the whole I am under the impression that cows round here eat grass! No one puts cows away in the winter and hand feeds them - it's no where near that cold or bare here.
I've also just realised that lucerne is what Americans alfalfa (duh) and therefore should according to the American way cut this out before she calves. Is that what we Aussie's do? What do I replace her lucerne with? Should she be having grain or minerals or something else instead of or as well as???
And what about after she calves? What do I feed her then?
Feeling very confused after too much reading ... hoping desperately for a simple answer. Anyone???
Here's some pics, I hope they are helpful even though they aren't the best. Also anyone want to hazard a guess at how pregnant she might be?
