My cow Mazie just had her 1st calf Sat. She's a red angus. Today I saw him nursing on all 4 teats only for a few seconds each one. She doesn't look big at all. I am wondering if she is producing enough milk for the calf. I have been giving her a flake of alfalfa each evening. I do not feed grain. I don't want to start that. The grass is coming up really good right now. And she has a whole round bale of hay to eat.
Am I worried about nothing? He looks healthy and is running all over. But should I be doing more to make her produce more milk?
Kris
Happiness is simple.
treelady
True Blue Farmgirl
2370 Posts
Julie
Medina
ND
USA
2370 Posts
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 4:17:30 PM
Hi Kris, If it is her first calf she won't have a very big bag. If the calf isn't getting enough to eat, you will notice him getting weaker and trying to nurse all the time. But if he is up and running around it sounds like all is well. As to feed your doing just fine. You will be suprised how big that calf will be by the end of summer, our heifers usually have calves at side almost as big as they are when we bring them home in the fall. Our first heifer calved a few days ago so our spring has officially began! Good Luck.
Julie
A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.
Thanks, Julie. This is my first calf born here and I was just a little too worried he wasn't getting enough. But I just came back in from watching him running around his momma trying to get her to play with him. She's out in the pasture now munching on the new grass. Then he stopped for a snack. So I guess he'll be fine. And she will too.
That's so fun seeing all the new calves all over out here. I just love this. Good luck on all yours. And thanks for the reassurance.
I have been milking her a little just to see if she'd let me and she does. Especially the back left quarter which was a little bloody. But it's fine now. I was told to do that by my dairy friend. But this morning I went out to see if she'd let me have just a cup of milk but there was nothing. She even felt empty where before she felt full. I have also put a very warm cloth with peppermint EO on her udder and she would let the milk down. I'd read about cows doing that and now I know what that's like. Anyway, little Chuck can have the milk now. I know he needs it. I just wanted to see if I could milk her and I did so I know I can later.
Feeding New Mother Cows
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 4:04:27 PM
