sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - Dec 10 2009 : 09:29:23 AM
we have buttercups 3 month old coriente mini jersey calf. normally i share milk. the last 3 nights have been -14 to -07. i have not milked in two days to let cocoa have the milk. also i thought if i did not seperate them they would be warmer. i am out of milk. can the calf sleep in her large calf stall in hay alone. yesterday buttercup mom was shivering. it is so cold. calf is great condition.eats calf starter and hay.i can wait another day. we are to warm up to 20 at night and snow tomorrow. what do you think? thanks sherrye learn as we go silk purse farm
Sherry, can you separate during the day and milk in the evening since it's so cold at night? I think that's what I'd do. Then they'd be able to be together all night. Man, that's some kinda cold there!
My husband, a very experienced herdsman, says to half-milk out the cow. If the calf is eating calf starter and hay, she should be fine; and leave them together for warmth. He says if you do have a horse blanket, that is ok to put on her too; or a regular old bad quilt of wool type blanket. He says Jerseys are thin skinned cows. Anyway, hope this helps and that things warm up!
I wish I could help Sherrye...we just lost our jersey about a month or so ago with a (non vet technical name) cow kidney stone (this is my technical vet name for it)...then got a 1 week old holstein and the weather was sooo cold we built him a small "tent" like area in the stall and covered him, he was eating great but it just must have gotten too cold and we lost him acouple weeks ago. I wish you the best of luck! Keep that baby warmed up:)
COLD 3 month calf?
Posted - Dec 10 2009 : 09:29:23 AM
