Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2010 16:04:01 GMT -5
Hi everyone! We're new cow owners... We just brought home our new Jersey cow and her heifer calf yesterday. I don't know much about this pair at the moment, but they came from a friend's place and I'm waiting to hear back from her about their history. My friend is reading Natural Cattle Care right now, and is going to pass it along to me when she's done. She did just start these cows on the mineral regimen outlined in the book, and sent some it home with us yesterday. I think she also just recently started them on alfalfa pellets. The cows have been on a rather small lot of grass, with supplemental hay. No grain.
I believe that this cow needs some major improvement in body condition. We have probably 2 acres of grass for them to graze, divided into 4 areas. We've been offering orchard grass hay since they arrived, but so far they're not interested in it at all... they just want to graze. I know mama needs alfalfa, so we've been giving her pellets... she had maybe 6-8 lbs yesterday, and we've given her 12 lbs so far today. I'd rather get hay, but the alfalfa hay I've seen down here recently is not great looking... more brown than green... I'll keep looking, though.
I'm trying to ramp up the amount of pellets I'm feeding so I don't overwhelm her with a sudden change in feed. Is that right? And what do I ramp up to?? Free choice? This cow LOVES alfalfa pellets and I'm wondering if she'd overdo it (if that's possible). Will the pellets suffice if I'm not able to find quality alfalfa hay?
I'm also not opposed to feeding grain if need be, especially right now to improve her condition. Should I work her up to a few pounds of whole oats, with maybe some BOSS thrown in? I know from reading some posts over the last several days that cows can vary widely in the amount of grain they require to maintain condition. How will I know when I'm feeding enough?
Any other suggestions? I've included some photos of our new family members below.
Thanks in advance for the help!
~Lauren
I believe that this cow needs some major improvement in body condition. We have probably 2 acres of grass for them to graze, divided into 4 areas. We've been offering orchard grass hay since they arrived, but so far they're not interested in it at all... they just want to graze. I know mama needs alfalfa, so we've been giving her pellets... she had maybe 6-8 lbs yesterday, and we've given her 12 lbs so far today. I'd rather get hay, but the alfalfa hay I've seen down here recently is not great looking... more brown than green... I'll keep looking, though.
I'm trying to ramp up the amount of pellets I'm feeding so I don't overwhelm her with a sudden change in feed. Is that right? And what do I ramp up to?? Free choice? This cow LOVES alfalfa pellets and I'm wondering if she'd overdo it (if that's possible). Will the pellets suffice if I'm not able to find quality alfalfa hay?
I'm also not opposed to feeding grain if need be, especially right now to improve her condition. Should I work her up to a few pounds of whole oats, with maybe some BOSS thrown in? I know from reading some posts over the last several days that cows can vary widely in the amount of grain they require to maintain condition. How will I know when I'm feeding enough?
Any other suggestions? I've included some photos of our new family members below.
Thanks in advance for the help!
~Lauren