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Barnyard Buddies:  Need advice on getting a calf to nurse.  |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 10:32:48 AM
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We lost a calf last week and bought a calf to put on the jersey milkcow but the calf is not nursing. We have an organic spray we used to spray the calf's back and head and the mother cow's nose and mouth. It is suppose to help the cow accept the calf. They are getting along but we just can't make the calf start nurse. He received colostrum before we got him so he is healthy right now.
Any advice on getting him to nurse?
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 11:29:51 AM
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Does he nurse from a bottle? What we did with foals that were not nursing to stand on the other side of the mare and then hold a bottle down by the teats, and as they are nursing quickly try to transfer to the real thing. Maybe that would work for a calf?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 11:36:57 AM
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Thanks Alee,
We tried a bottle but he wouldn't take the bottle either, but I am going out to try again. Maybe he is hungrier now.
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 1:24:01 PM
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Does he suck on your fingers? Is he possibly nursing when you aren't watching?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 1:35:13 PM
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No, he won't suck on my fingers but he is running and playing. He had some feed on his mouth and he maybe he did nurse while when we didn't see him. I hope so. We just let him and the mama cow back out in the pasture with the other cows and they all seem fine. The calf was still running and playing with another calf. Hopefully everything will be fine. Thanks Alee.
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 4:27:20 PM
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I bet he is nursing when you arn't watching...I have had sneaky ones like that before!! (both goats and a calf) let us know how he is doing!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 13 2008 : 10:22:35 PM
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I would worry if he was laying down, not standing, now making any noises. But if he is running and playing, he is probably nursing when you aren't watching. Watch his body weight. If his ribs and hips start protruding and the little node of fat at the root of his tail disappears, then you should be concerned.
He's lucky to have such a sweet owner looking out for him!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2008 : 07:58:43 AM
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Well, the little fellow just came to the barn all by himself. I shut him in and gave him food and water which he didn't take. Then about 10 minutes later his adopted mother Betsy, came running and bellowing to get in the barn to him. I let her in and the calf goes out moooing. The cow stayed and ate the feed of course. Then Betsy came running out of the barn, runs right by the calf into the woods. I am thinking, bottle feeding. Then out of the woods came Jack, the donkey, followed by Belle the milkcow. Belle has a calf already. The new calf runs to Belle and starts nursing her. So I guess the calf didn't like his new mother,Betsy? I was just thrilled to see him nurse from someone. Hopefully they will work it out among themselves.
Thanks for the advice.
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2008 : 09:49:00 AM
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Oh that's wonderful that he is nursing! I am sure he is going to do great as long as Belle doesn't get stressed nursing two calves. She shouldn't though. Her body should adapt.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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gafarmwoman
True Blue Farmgirl
244 Posts
Pam
Georgia
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2008 : 09:37:22 AM
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I just had to take a picture and show you all this. This is Betsy and her calf that wouldn't nurse. My husband and I was practically jumping up and down this morning when we saw the calf eating. That little fellow nursed for a half hour, and bless Betsy's heart, she just stood still and let him. Betsy(and me)was so upset about him not nursing from her. Life is wonderful this morning.
You can never have enough friends.
Please come and sit a spell with me at Life on a Southern Farm
http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2008 : 11:35:35 AM
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Aww! What a cute pair they make! He just needed to figure out who his new mama was!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: Need advice on getting a calf to nurse. |
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Need advice on getting a calf to nurse.
