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weaning
Nov 16, 2014 21:22:42 GMT -5
Post by blueboy2 on Nov 16, 2014 21:22:42 GMT -5
Greetings, I have been reading what I find on here in regards to what some have experienced or tried in the weaning process. Wish it was all done for me by cow. But, the best laid plans..... Calf born st. Patty day. Yes ,nine months old. Cow is bred back, due to freshen April 25. milk once a day, with seperation from calf (heifer) at night. Not a big producer, , don't want to make you laugh. Cow is 5.This is her 3rd calf.First with me as I aquired her December last.She was never milked or halter broke. But we worked it out.Don't know of other calf history. Here is where I need a game plan.I will keep heifer. Only could seperate with fence, or lock one in barn, probably cow as that is where stanchion is. Or just leave be as is. Was planning on not milking come February. But what to tell calf of this? Or how to tell calf is question ? What would happen if all just ran its course?what does nature say? Cow is a real pig head in that she really only tolerates me.someday, maybe, hopefully she will see me as a friend.Which is why I don't know what to do "nicely".Any ideas greatly appreciated.
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weaning
Nov 17, 2014 6:48:38 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by RedRidge on Nov 17, 2014 6:48:38 GMT -5
I'd just leave them together and put a "quiet wean" weaning tab in the calf. No stress (for you or cows) that way.
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502
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weaning
Nov 17, 2014 7:46:26 GMT -5
Post by zephyrhillsusan on Nov 17, 2014 7:46:26 GMT -5
Ditto what Sheri said. You can buy them on Valley Vet for a couple dollars apiece. I think Sheri uses the light yellow one without any little spikes; I've used the school bus yellow one with little spikes. There's a green spiky kind that I don't like.
To get them in easily, get a bucket of really hot water, almost boiling, and a tongs. Carry the weaning ring out in that, use the tongs to fish it out, and it will twist much more easily to put in. They stay in well. When the cow freshens again, keep an eye on them to be sure the heifer doesn't try to nurse again.
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Post by cddexter on Nov 17, 2014 8:24:30 GMT -5
may i add: but make sure the plastic has cooled a bit: you wouldn't want a nearly boiling temp plastic think stuck in your nose, would you?
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Post by kansasdexters on Nov 17, 2014 10:01:07 GMT -5
The plastic weaning tabs should not be left in the calf's nose for more than 10 days. They are intended to be used to make separation from the dam easier, they are not intended to be left in place for extended periods of time. After the weaning tab has been used for about a week, separate the calf from the cow, and remove the weaning tab. If the tab is left in place too long, raw sores can develop in the calf's nose and infection can result. WARNING: DO NOT LEAVE PLASTIC WEANING TABS IN A GROWING CALF'S NOSE FOR MORE THAN 10 DAYS! Here's how they are supposed to be used: quietwean.com/?page_id=21Patti
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weaning
Nov 17, 2014 11:03:47 GMT -5
Post by dexterfarm on Nov 17, 2014 11:03:47 GMT -5
I dont wean. In most cases a pregnant cow will kick her calf off when the time comes. I have march/April calves. Usually about mid winter they kick the calves off. I have only ever had one not kick off a calf and as it turned out it was because she was not pregnant. She was an elderly cow who could not get pregnant again. When spring is approaching I do keep a close eye on them to make sure they have kicked them off. but so far just the one and there was a reason for it.
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502
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Post by zephyrhillsusan on Nov 17, 2014 23:01:30 GMT -5
I corrected my post, Patti. When I was going to use a weaning tab I looked to find out how long to leave them in and couldn't find anything. Thanks for pointing out the time limit. I agree, cddexter, you don't want to sizzle the calf's nose. What I found was that the water cooled on the way to the barn and during the time it took me to get the calf tied up, etc. by the time I fished it out of the water I could handle it and it wasn't too hot for the calf, but was still pliable. Good point, though. Mike, our first cow weaned our first calf by herself, and we never even saw it happen. It was her fifth calf. After we sold her back to the people we bought her from, they observed her wean her next calf. One day she kicked the calf off. The next day she let it nurse. The next day she kicked it off. That smart old mama went to every other day nursing! But when our first heifer grew up and had a calf, she didn't inherit her dam's talent for weaning. When the calf was 8 months old I saw her trying to kick the calf off, but when the calf persisted, she gave up. After two days of that, I intervened. . This calf is her second and it's 6 months old now, so it will be interesting to see if she manages by herself this year. I just weaned another at 7 months and separated them because I was pretty sure that determined little heifer would get around the weaning tab. I definitely prefer using the tab.
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Post by Morning Star Farm on Nov 18, 2014 11:17:41 GMT -5
This is the first time we used the Quiet Wean on one of our calves and we loved it! This is the way we will do it from now on. Less stress for everyone.
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