Post by farmerswife on May 29, 2010 22:26:42 GMT -5
Hi all... I'm new at this Dairy cow stuff so need lots of help along the way and this seems the place to get it!!
I bought an 8yr old Holestein from the sale almost 3 weeks ago now. I have put one foster calf on her which took her about 2 days to love but she decided she loved it and keeps up with it and everything. I am introducing calf #2 to her now. I have given it one bottle a day to make sure it doesn't loose it's agressiveness and gets on up there for his chance at it!...(2 full days so far) She doesn't love calf #2 yet and butts it away when he walks in front of her- but if he will just come up from the side or back she will allow it to suck with only a minimal stomp or two then stands and gives up. Should I be worried about that or just accept that as long as I see it sucking- it will figure out what way to be successful at getting his share? The other calf is about the same age (about 3-4weeks old) The new calf had a momma before they were split at the sale. The cow "ol'Bessie" does not have a full tight udder but it is "saggy baggy"- it looks like it would have great potential but it is my assumption that she was a dairy cull and they were allowing her to dry up- but she wasn't GONE for sure when I got her- The first calf was introduced immediately and has had nothing but her since her arrival 3 weeks ago- so she has kept her flowing and rebuilding. Should I expect to see it full and tight - ever- as long as calves are full time nursing her? If I increase her feed should I ideally be able to add a 3rd calf in another 2 weeks?-- I'm afraid to try 4 calves on her just yet.- what's your opinion?-- I took the cow to the vet and she is open. I have 2 other young Holsteins (age 2 &4) due to arrive by the end of the week ( should I choose to purchase them) each have one calf each on them now- so the same "rules" may apply to them as far as calf increase? I do not plan to milk my dairy cows- only use for nursing babies. However that may come later on..... just have to see how ambitious (or adventurous) I get?! lol
I bought an 8yr old Holestein from the sale almost 3 weeks ago now. I have put one foster calf on her which took her about 2 days to love but she decided she loved it and keeps up with it and everything. I am introducing calf #2 to her now. I have given it one bottle a day to make sure it doesn't loose it's agressiveness and gets on up there for his chance at it!...(2 full days so far) She doesn't love calf #2 yet and butts it away when he walks in front of her- but if he will just come up from the side or back she will allow it to suck with only a minimal stomp or two then stands and gives up. Should I be worried about that or just accept that as long as I see it sucking- it will figure out what way to be successful at getting his share? The other calf is about the same age (about 3-4weeks old) The new calf had a momma before they were split at the sale. The cow "ol'Bessie" does not have a full tight udder but it is "saggy baggy"- it looks like it would have great potential but it is my assumption that she was a dairy cull and they were allowing her to dry up- but she wasn't GONE for sure when I got her- The first calf was introduced immediately and has had nothing but her since her arrival 3 weeks ago- so she has kept her flowing and rebuilding. Should I expect to see it full and tight - ever- as long as calves are full time nursing her? If I increase her feed should I ideally be able to add a 3rd calf in another 2 weeks?-- I'm afraid to try 4 calves on her just yet.- what's your opinion?-- I took the cow to the vet and she is open. I have 2 other young Holsteins (age 2 &4) due to arrive by the end of the week ( should I choose to purchase them) each have one calf each on them now- so the same "rules" may apply to them as far as calf increase? I do not plan to milk my dairy cows- only use for nursing babies. However that may come later on..... just have to see how ambitious (or adventurous) I get?! lol