Raising Calf off Dam

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:00 pm

The heifer I mentioned didn't go for us, or paw the ground but her kicking ability was varied, energetic and quite unstoppable! Despite all efforts of our stockman, myself and my Dad who tried holding her nose, putting a rope around her, using a kick bar, using a bull dog to hold her head up and as many of those things at once as possible!!! :D

My usual way with a new heifer was be very quiet, very gentle, and very patient, put up with a bit of bad behaviour, never use any of the above and after a day or so most would let the milk down and were fine but this one was different, I didn't even get any milk out of her.

Stephanie

Anna · Post by **Anna** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 4:45 pm

Our dexter x jersey cross didn´t taste as great as a dexter but to be honest he was easier to deal with than a dexter. Really easygoing and friendly, without being pushy. Less stubborn and less rebellious. But being a steer may have caused that?

domsmith · Post by **domsmith** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:42 pm

my jersey pet "jeremy".
. had several jerseys and crosses and all have been good sorts. and different from the rest of the bunch so i notice them more.
dom
sunnyside zoo and mad house

Minnie · Post by **Minnie** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 9:42 pm

I've only had one jersey many years back which I reared from about a week old. She had the most beautiful temperament, and stood in the paddock while I'd pick ticks of her udder and brush and cuddle her. I know many people say the jersey bulls are a vile lot with the worst temperament.

We've got two PB registered dexters that were graded from jersey and jersey angus cross, the jersey graded is a shocker with her horns (which will be shortened just to blunt them when it's cooler) and is awful with the other cows, lovely with people awful to the cattle.

Vicki

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:29 pm

Mine is fine, no problem, nice temperament, until she has a calf

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Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:37 am

Well what do you know, just went in the barn and my little calf was suckling Mom. That's after a month of not suckling, I really don't think she has been doing it before or certainly not till recently.

Mom will presumably have dried up; her udder looks flaccid. But will she start producing milk again? What is the calf getting when she sucks? Will it harm her? Should I separate them?

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Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:55 pm

I am sure she will be fine. Her milk will come back and fast.

We were asked to put a friends new born foal on a mare whose foal had been weaned over a week and was already nearly a year old. To my surprise she took it, fed it and her milk gradually returned.

Stephanie

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:56 pm

Thanks Stephanie, I think I'll start reducing the calf's milk replacer so she stays hungrier (but not starving!) and see how she goes.

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:04 am

The calf is suckling regularly now and is in good condition. I'm down to 750 ml of replacer a day and going to reduce it or stop it shortly as mom's udder look about half full (she has MASSIVE udders). Thanks for the help.

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