self weaning

[nigel5022]

Our cattle are still housed at the moment. One 9 month old calf has been shouting all day and mothers udder doesn't appear to have been drunk from. She appears fine, eating and cudding but as he approached udder she moved away slightly and he didn't pursue the matter. Is it possible that she is self weaning him? She is hopefully 6 months pregnant.

[ann]

I find that some of my cows will start weaning their calves around this time, if the cows udder is fine and she doesn't have any sore teats, then i suspect she has decided its time he stood on his own 4 feet.

[LISA]

Also check her udder very carefully, physically feel it, and if possible strip some milk from each teat to make sure she is not developing mastitis. If she was mine i would wean her now anyway so she can have a rest before her next calf (if 6 months incalf). We wean ours so that they can still see/lick their calf but it cannot suck (i.e one either side of a gate/fence. After a few days they can be fully apart. Happy Weaning!

[nigel5022]

Thanks for your replies, she has self weaned successfully and has now gone out to grass to prepare for her new calf.