Post by Applelonia on Nov 2, 2017 23:58:16 GMT -5
Today I called the organic mill our bird grains come from. Talked to the owner for about an hour.
They have a 16 percent calf starter - corn, wheat, barley and oats. I’m going to try that for Dazzling. They can do a special mix/blend without the corn and do a higher protein but I’m going to try the regular organic one and see if Dazzling will even eat it before doing custom orders to get the higher protein.
Ordered rolled organic barley for France.
They are sending an organic herbal Dr.Pauls dewormer for France - it’s powered - goes on her feed. They said even though her fecal samples are clear there are other worms - lungs - blood - kidney that would not be detected...?
They are also sending loose minerals - France eats the ones I have but has been licking and chewing wood in her stall - they said she needs more phosphorus.
They also said the third cutting hay sounds too rich and is most likely contributing to the weight problem. And that Guernsey are known for getting ketosis. They suggested even though it’s not approved for organic use to feed her a couple doses of propylene glycol. Is this a good idea at this point?
We also discussed Daffodils meaty udder and low milk - they said from their observation such things are genetic - suggested culling her and her heifer calf and starting over with a different line 😕
All day poor Dazzling has been trying to get milk from France - they were all outside. France kicks and tries to run her down. Dazzling goes back to Daffodil but no milk. Then she was trying to find milk from Cordelia ...a disastrous situation in the making....And then she went back to France. If I could go back in time and would have known Daffodil would never pick up production I’d have pulled Dazzling the first day and bottle fed her with replacer so she would not have know anything different. Sigh.
Going to see if she might drink now that she’s older from a bucket. Maybe she won’t be as stubborn towards this. If she will I’m going to start feeding her France’s milk and then mixing it with replacer milk. I’m also going to try the bottle again - maybe by some miracle she’ll accept it. Don’t think so with her elephant mind...too much like grandma Appy - stubborn beyond logical reason. I have a strong feeling she will not want her calf grains...and then what...she needs food ...hence trying the bottle and bucket again.
I felt sick about it but given the current options I forced France to stand and let Dazzling drink from her today. Since France did not feed Dazzling in the morning she had one side tight with milk. I did not milk and waited and observed this morning into afternoon - Cordelia seemed full and content. I found Dazzling vibrating all over - trembling as she tried to get to France’s udder. France would lash out and Dazzling just shook. I feel so frustrated that attempt after attempt - nipple after different nipple option Dazzling refused the bottle in the past. She could be happy and plump on milk replacer if not so stubborn. I put France in her headgate and she was mad as a hornet - kicking and stomping her foot. But her udder was tight with milk and it was either me milking and Dazzling refusing the milked milk or letting Dazzling drink. I whacked France in the rump with my all-purpose cattle stick. She lashed out towards calf’s head. I whacked her again she stood nicely but when she started to pick up her leg I lightly tapped her in warning. If I stepped away rocket feet trying the nail calf. It seemed wrong - skinny France feeding Dazzling. And Dazzling was shaking so hard I thought she might tip over. Terrified but starving for milk. I spoke to her and laid my hand on her and she shook less.
She wanted more milk tonight from France but Cordelia had drunk it all. Dazzling trotted over to the stall door and mooed at me. She wanted to go get milk. Sad. Sad. Sad.
I’ve found an organic milk replacer online - need to contact the company - not sure if I can even buy a single bag of it and if so how much it might cost. I didn’t know the replacer had ingredients like palm oil ...soy...lots of extra ingredients besides milk. Any good organic or non GMO brands anyone would recommend? Not having much luck finding many options online.
The idea of selling Dazzling came to mind to lessen France’s demand but she has no hope if she refuses grain as some Randalls do and refuses the bottle or bucket. Then I thought do I see if I can get Cordelia to take replacer and let Dazzling take milk from France. Or do I sell Cordelia? But then am I saving Dazzling just to have poured more money and time into a cow that might freshen with the same udder issues as her mom...I so wish we were heading into June and not December....
They have a 16 percent calf starter - corn, wheat, barley and oats. I’m going to try that for Dazzling. They can do a special mix/blend without the corn and do a higher protein but I’m going to try the regular organic one and see if Dazzling will even eat it before doing custom orders to get the higher protein.
Ordered rolled organic barley for France.
They are sending an organic herbal Dr.Pauls dewormer for France - it’s powered - goes on her feed. They said even though her fecal samples are clear there are other worms - lungs - blood - kidney that would not be detected...?
They are also sending loose minerals - France eats the ones I have but has been licking and chewing wood in her stall - they said she needs more phosphorus.
They also said the third cutting hay sounds too rich and is most likely contributing to the weight problem. And that Guernsey are known for getting ketosis. They suggested even though it’s not approved for organic use to feed her a couple doses of propylene glycol. Is this a good idea at this point?
We also discussed Daffodils meaty udder and low milk - they said from their observation such things are genetic - suggested culling her and her heifer calf and starting over with a different line 😕
All day poor Dazzling has been trying to get milk from France - they were all outside. France kicks and tries to run her down. Dazzling goes back to Daffodil but no milk. Then she was trying to find milk from Cordelia ...a disastrous situation in the making....And then she went back to France. If I could go back in time and would have known Daffodil would never pick up production I’d have pulled Dazzling the first day and bottle fed her with replacer so she would not have know anything different. Sigh.
Going to see if she might drink now that she’s older from a bucket. Maybe she won’t be as stubborn towards this. If she will I’m going to start feeding her France’s milk and then mixing it with replacer milk. I’m also going to try the bottle again - maybe by some miracle she’ll accept it. Don’t think so with her elephant mind...too much like grandma Appy - stubborn beyond logical reason. I have a strong feeling she will not want her calf grains...and then what...she needs food ...hence trying the bottle and bucket again.
I felt sick about it but given the current options I forced France to stand and let Dazzling drink from her today. Since France did not feed Dazzling in the morning she had one side tight with milk. I did not milk and waited and observed this morning into afternoon - Cordelia seemed full and content. I found Dazzling vibrating all over - trembling as she tried to get to France’s udder. France would lash out and Dazzling just shook. I feel so frustrated that attempt after attempt - nipple after different nipple option Dazzling refused the bottle in the past. She could be happy and plump on milk replacer if not so stubborn. I put France in her headgate and she was mad as a hornet - kicking and stomping her foot. But her udder was tight with milk and it was either me milking and Dazzling refusing the milked milk or letting Dazzling drink. I whacked France in the rump with my all-purpose cattle stick. She lashed out towards calf’s head. I whacked her again she stood nicely but when she started to pick up her leg I lightly tapped her in warning. If I stepped away rocket feet trying the nail calf. It seemed wrong - skinny France feeding Dazzling. And Dazzling was shaking so hard I thought she might tip over. Terrified but starving for milk. I spoke to her and laid my hand on her and she shook less.
She wanted more milk tonight from France but Cordelia had drunk it all. Dazzling trotted over to the stall door and mooed at me. She wanted to go get milk. Sad. Sad. Sad.
I’ve found an organic milk replacer online - need to contact the company - not sure if I can even buy a single bag of it and if so how much it might cost. I didn’t know the replacer had ingredients like palm oil ...soy...lots of extra ingredients besides milk. Any good organic or non GMO brands anyone would recommend? Not having much luck finding many options online.
The idea of selling Dazzling came to mind to lessen France’s demand but she has no hope if she refuses grain as some Randalls do and refuses the bottle or bucket. Then I thought do I see if I can get Cordelia to take replacer and let Dazzling take milk from France. Or do I sell Cordelia? But then am I saving Dazzling just to have poured more money and time into a cow that might freshen with the same udder issues as her mom...I so wish we were heading into June and not December....