Weaning?

helen salmon · Post by **helen salmon** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:59 pm

Hi,
Our first calf is now nearly 6 months old. At what age should we be weaning her? What is the best way of going about it? At the moment she is out in one of the field with mum and aunty, 4 alpaca friends and two horses.
Helen

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:47 pm

We wean at 8 months earliest, normally later. In adjacent fields or adjacent pens seems best to us, and then when mom gets used to the fact the calf can cope without milk, then can then be separated totally.

But we don't wean at all unless the cow is due to calve again in a 7-10 weeks, something like that, to give the cow time to recover. That is unless the cow looks like she's losing condition, in which case we'll wean as soon as necessary.

I've just weaned a steer at 13 months because mom wasn't in calf at the normal time, but she is now due in 6 weeks time and in excellent condition.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1207831722

helen salmon · Post by **helen salmon** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:19 am

Thanks Clive.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:00 am

You must have way to much grass Clive. :laugh: We have to wean about six months, to make sure that the in-calf cows Winter over okay. I like them to be in reasonable condition at calving and on our farm, that requires weaning the calves at 6 months.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:06 am

That's right Inger. We have lot's of clover in most of our grass so my main concern is trying to make sure cattle don't get too much. I just can't keep any that run to fat too easily.

Edited By Broomcroft on 1208599585

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:35 am

Oh to have that problem. :laugh: You might have to increase you herd size to compensate. :D

Nikola Thompson · Post by **Nikola Thompson** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:32 pm

We tried to wean by using a next door paddock (we have high fencing). Steer in question jumped over, so we took him 3/4 mile away. Next morning, five high fences and several fields between, the steer was back with mum. We put them in a barn now for a week to stop this. We wean between 6 -8 months depending on whether it is a heifer or bull calf.

Nikola