| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| hipmamato4 |
Posted - Dec 14 2010 : 8:34:13 PM
Hello friends,
We recently acquired (as a kind of foster care arrangement with my farmer neighbor), a 6 week old calf, who is not doing great. She was born with an issue with her hind legs where they have difficulty bending, at the hock and pastern (sorry, a long time horse person here, not sure if it's called the same in cows). We haven't been able to tell if it is one area or both or if both legs are affected or mostly just one.
That is the main issue, but I'm feeling like a bigger issue is that she still looks like a newborn in size and body. She is still getting only the milk replacer twice a day (as per the farmers feeding instructions). I just decided that she must start getting more, so we gave her 3 feedings today, will do the same tomorrow and then will increase it two 4 feedings a day. I'm not sure how she is supposed to heal and have energy to move around when she is still only being fed a newborns rations. She won't eat any other food yet. She has trouble getting up from lying down (we have to lift her) and then she will walk a little but not much. Definitely not a like a robust little one.
I am wondering if anyone has experienced this before. Either the leg issue or the failure to thrive like conditon that she seems to have. Maybe they are related, maybe not. Just wondering what other things we can do to help her out. My 11 yo daughter has taken on the project. Her name is Kleo (the calf, not my daughter!). Thanks, Danielle
Homebirthing, home-schooling mama to 4 awesome kids, living an idyllic country life in Pennsylvania |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| sherrye |
Posted - Dec 19 2010 : 06:16:20 AM
danielle is on kfc for her calf. they are helping her. i am hopeful danielle has done a fine job trying to help this little calf. sherye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| amomfly |
Posted - Dec 18 2010 : 09:55:44 AM
I really hope all is well, Sherrye you are the greatest!
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| cntrygrl |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 3:33:28 PM
Danielle,
Just a few more ideas. The calf will probably always be stunted. If at all possible and as soon as possible the calf needs to learn to drink its milk from a bucket. Once it learns to drink from a bucket it will also drink water, which it needs. You also might want to look into some calf starter grain w/ molasses in it.
Hope Kleo keeps on keep'n on.
Tommie
~Live~Laugh~Love~
~Dust is a country accent~ |
| sherrye |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 08:43:38 AM
this is what concerns me. she should be cudding now. worried you got milk in her ruman. that can be a challenge. the calf goes hungry since the rumen cannot digest milk only hay etc. so positioning is crucial. i am thinking that could be part of the puzzle. weak legs since no food in no energy out.is it a calf bottle? what kind of calf? does she have loose minerals. they are vital for her and you could give her some live yogurt culture unseasoned to aid bacteria in her milk stomach. you could put it in her milk. just a thought. just throwing ideas. praying she gets stronger and agile. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| hipmamato4 |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 08:36:31 AM
Thanks Sherry,
Will do. She's fine. :) I wanted to research this fully first before really starting. I did know about positioning for feeding, so that's been done. And we have started her walking four times around the barn each feeding. She's been tied for weeks at their place, for various reasons. I will check out the website for more information. The problem is she won't eat anythign else, not hay, not grain yet. I'll keep you posted on how things progress. Danielle
Homebirthing, home-schooling mama to 4 awesome kids, living an idyllic country life in Pennsylvania |
| sherrye |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 07:35:28 AM
there are many factors to a calfs diet. FIRST are you feeding the bottle very warm. in the position so calf neck is down head is up. sit in a chair and feed nipple off and below your knee. she MUST suck hard to get milk make lots of spit bubbles. if you are feeding her with head up the milk goes in rumen WRONG stomach. she will not grow will get sick. does she have a loose mineral not a rock. free choice clean dry hay and alfalfa . not much alfalfa at first. all the hgrass hay it wants. are you walking her to get strength.i am going to post this and come back after feeding. please post your question on kfc so they can help you. you can have a calf die in hours. there is a 911 place to post. THEY know more than me and can help you. PLEASE let us know how it goes and if i can help ask. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| sherrye |
Posted - Dec 15 2010 : 07:29:16 AM
danielle, right now this minute YOU MUST GO TO keeping a family cow website. STOP feeding the calf that much replacer>>>>>YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE HER SICK>>>STOP ok i am emailing you now and coming back to this thread. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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