Post by Rosa Ridge Farm on Feb 4, 2007 21:57:34 GMT -5
Well, I drove all the way across the state of Wi, 5 hours there and 5 hours back to pick up our new Jersey girl. She is 5 years old and is due to calf March 7th. I was and still am very concerned about the cold. When we brought her home we left the corn crib open so she could go in and out as she pleased. The beef (Lowline) are separate from her but she can stand by the fence and visit with them. I was little disappointed when I went to get her. She seemed a little thin and yes I do understand she is a milk cow and will have a different confirmation then a beef cow. I almost left without her but she has such a sweet disposition. She is halter broke and I can handle her teats and brush her all day. I think those big eyes is what made me really take her home. She is not ill in any way but I just think too thin for an eight month preg cow. I called the nutritionist at Crystal Creek (an organic resource for supplements) He recommended worming her and then feeding about 4# of grain/barley mix. She has only been getting hay at his point. She has had two calves already and was part of an organic mil herd. I have been giving her 3#'s in the morning and 3#'s in the evening with kelp. She has free choice of alfalfa/grass hay, Redmond salt and DE. I put a blanket on her tonight. She felt like she was shivering a little. She has a little winter hair, but not much. We are at -10 right now and it is suppose to get down to -30 tonight. Can I give her more grain to warmer her up more? Is there anything else I can do to keep her warm? This weather is suppose to be here for another 3-5 days.
I don't want her to get sick or cause any problems with her preg. She is mooing a lot but I think it is because she is locked in the corn crib and wants to be out by the other cows. Any suggestions would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Judith
I don't want her to get sick or cause any problems with her preg. She is mooing a lot but I think it is because she is locked in the corn crib and wants to be out by the other cows. Any suggestions would really be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Judith