Premature Dexter

[Minnie]

Hi Stephanie,

It's a grass that grows here (well Northern NSW, not sure where else) that is cheap feed hay during the winter, keeps the cattle going but it's not lucerne.

We buy from an organic farm and get the big round bales cheap and then supplement mineral blocks, molasses and a little lucerne.

The big round bales aren't too bad, there's a lot of wastage, but the little oblong bales are a waste as they cattle unless starving turn their noses up, and it's more straw than hay.

I'm really pleased with how Fatima's going and each day she gets stronger and more developed. Don't normally see this development that happens in the womb.

Mind you once she's out with the herd and weaned I think I'll go to bed for a week. :laugh:

Vicki

[Minnie]

Just to let everyone know that Fatima continues to thrive!

She's 6 weeks old tomorrow, last Saturday weighed 16kg (by my scales), has 4 teeth and chases the alpacas for a feed as well as chases one of the cats, who then chases her...

We'll be moving to the new property (where the herd and her mother is) next weekend, so it will be lovely for her to have cattle company rather than identifying with Mr Murphy the Cat! I can say he's taught her to groom herself well and she's the cleanest calf you'd ever see.

She's a big girl now, and loves to smile :laugh:


Showing off her 4 teeth.

:D

Vicki

[Minnie]

Oops forgot to say she's mastered walking the polished floorboards in the house, she gives a whole new meaning to the words 'house cow'... :laugh: :laugh:

[Broomcroft]

She's looking great Vicki. You must be very pleased. I assume you'll get her used to living outside soon so you can muck out the kitchen :D

[Minnie]

Hi Clive,

I didn't appreciate the waterproofness of the blowup pool beds until now. :;):

It's time she was out, and am looking forward to next weekend where if this rain would just stop we'll be out at the new place she'll have an outdoor pen on a small garden shed and with cows she can talk to.

Interestingly I had a thought this morning, she only seems to poo once a day and it's never sloppy and always (other than twice) been outside. I've had no problem with scouring, after she finished the colostrum.

But it hit me this morning, I'm getting holstein and brown swiss milk from the dairy, could the larger fat gobule be causing the constipation? It will be interesting if she manages to get a feed from one of the cows to see how it goes. Has anyone got thoughts on this?

The towels and blankets that I have to wash everyday is huge as well... so there's another good reason that she's fine to be out. :D

Vicki

[Minnie]

I thought some of you may like to see Fatima today almost 6mths.



She's in lovely condition, and goes out with the herd all day and comes into a pen at night still. Fairy Floss a day older will be coming if for weaning with a couple more and she'll then join them in a yard for weaning.

[Broomcroft]

She's looking great Vicki, what a shine, good job done there.

[Minnie]

Thanks Clive, some of the shine is 'cattle coat' though :;):

I wipe her over every few days and the buffalo flies have given her very little attention. And she stands stock still while I wipe it on, enjoying every minute of it... pity the others don't (I squirt them with a syringe full and they run). :laugh:

But she is glossy and healthy, if a little stoppy when she sees a bottle!

Have stopped milk in the morning, but give her a bottle of water, she seems to enjoy it just as much. :laugh: Then only 2 litres of the powdered milk (we ran out of milk when flooded in so I decided to finish her on powder) of a night with weaner pellets and chaff... cheeky thing stuck her head through a panel and polished of Curly's (the alpaca) bucket of food as well the other night.

I'm so pleased to have been able to raise her and have her in such lovely condition.

Vicki

[domsmith]

I think looking back its a great story, and must be very satisfying to see what you have achieved.
the satisfaction of working closely with a wonderful animal and the longterm bond between you.

all great, you must write down your experiences!

dom

[Minnie]

Hi Dom,

It certainly has given me a great sense of achievement, especially with most thinking I'd never get her through. Neither of the vets thought she'd survive and the young vet just loves to hear how she's going and can't believe she's going so well, he's looking forward to seeing her.

I did a lot of notes at what I fed etc and when I get a chance am definitely going to put it together. I was lucky that Marg Rawlings sent me some information on one she'd saved, and really it's so different from a full term calf hand reared.

I tell everyone I did her the same as the wildlife (my Mum's done lots of 'pinky' joeys over many years) so I just did her the same to keep her alive.

It was a huge amount of time and couldn't have been at a worse time when we were selling and buying property, but the joy when I see her calling me and come running is so worth it. :D

Vicki

[Minnie]

Time goes quickly and Fatima turned 1 year old on 31.8.11

I call her Fatty Fatima now:



Here's the photos of her journey from 'very premmie' to now.

http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp31 ... 20Journey/

She's not easy to take a photo of, as she want cuddles.
Vicki

[Saffy]

Hello Vicki,

She looks fantastic! You would never guess that she had been premature - all credit to you for all that hard work and dedication!

Now when she has a calf of her own, will she expect to take it into your house??

Stephanie

[wagra dexters]

Congratulations Vicki, bright & shiny, she even looks a bit smug about the art work.
My thoughts are that anyone can poddy but not everyone can pay attention to detail required by such a premmie baby. I particularly liked your reference that you made on another forum to small feeds more often to avoid the poddy belly.
Margaret

[Denise]

Vicki are you have a "public showing" at the NSW breed show with her???
I do hope so as would love to meet her in the flesh so to speak!

Welldone - and I'm sure it is worth all that enormous workload you had - living testament to your excellent efforts!

[Minnie]

Hi Stephanie, Margaret and Denise,

Thank you, I know some people like to know how these hand reared animals turn out, so next installment will be with calf.

Stephanie she may just do that, recently she and Fairy Floss born the day before her, escaped their paddock and came straight down to the house and waited at the feed bins... all Fatima's instigation I think.

Yes Margaret, my Mum reminded me of the small feeds to prevent poddy bellies... many years back we brought poddies at the sales and we reared them. She's never looked like people imagine a hand reared calf, let alone premmie... makes me feel very happy when there were a few farmers etc that didn't give her a chance, but gee whiz it was a lot of work, but worth it!

Sorry Denise, one opportunity that I missed was halter training her and she's such a naughty girl at times. Thinks when she goes through a gate there's something to eat for her. Funny enough she's very stand offish with everyone except Phil and I, and she was even with him for some time... too spoilt for words no doubt!

At the end of the day, I would do it again, hope I don't have to though and it is worth the time, effort and money. All Phil's travelling to the dairy for Fatima's milk and feeding all through the night, yep all again to save her, I just love her. But am hoping when she has a calf she doesn't say "here you go Mum, you do the job"

Vicki