Age to worm and vaccinate calves

[spiritedhawk]

At what age do most worm and vaccinate calves? I seem to remember something about 3 months. I'm in the process of worming my herd with Ivomec plus injectable. While I've got the momma put up I was hoping to do her 2 month old calf at the same time. Any thoughts?

[kansasdexters]

Be sure to read the label of the product(s) you are planning to use. If it says "not for use in calves less than 3 months old" then don't use it on a 2 month old calf. Cydectin injectable can be used on calves that are 8 weeks or older. Dectomax injectable can be used on calves younger than 2 months old. Ivomec Plus injectable is not for use on young calves. It is very important to read the label and to administer the proper dosage for the weight of the animal, in accordance with the instructions for making the injection.


If you are milking the cow for home use, make sure to use a product that has no milk withdrawal period (such as Eprinex Pour-on or Cydectine Pour-on).

We normally use Dectomax injectable on our calves at 3-4 months of age, when they get the first round of vaccinations. We've been using Eprinex or Cydectine pour-on to treat the cows at that time. We prefer to treat the calves with an injectable anti-parasitic because the cows lick their calves and a pour-on product on the calves will get licked off (yuck!) soon after application. We prefer to treat the cows with a pour-on product because these products are more effective than the injectable products for the control of horn flies, lice, and mites.


Patti

[spiritedhawk]

Thanks for the info Patti, but my box of Ivomec Plus says not for use in calves that are going to be processed for veal.

[Star Creek Dexters]

Are you planning on processing them for veal? If so, I would recommend asking your vet to find out the best thing to use.

[ctownson]

At weaning is usually a good time. Check the instructions/label and follow the directions for vaccinations and worming. The labels generally have specific instructions for calves.

charles

[spiritedhawk]

No, I'm not processing it for veal. That's the only thing mentioned about calves on the Ivomec label.(see Patties reply) I know they get natural immunities from mommas milk, at least for 3 months as I understand it. I'm just talking worming now. I hadn't thought about mama licking pour on off, but I'm using Ivomec injectable and eprinex pour on on the larger cattle because the flies were so thick on them. I guess I'll wait another month or 2 to worm the calf. Thanks everybody!

[spiritedhawk]

Hey Genebo. Thanks for your 2 cents. I've been checking so many eyelids and gums on our herd of goats I'm gettin tired of looking at them. For some reason I didn't think about checking the cattles eyes. We are taking care of our herd of Dexters,meat and milk goats and are now partners with another farm where we currently have over 50 Boer and Boer Savanna crosses. We have not had any measurable rain since the beginning of August just as we were bringing in our square bales from the second cutting. Doesn't look like we'll get a third cutting. As dry as it has been we are still getting worms in the goat poop samples. I do have a couple of our Dexters at the partners farm, but here... well I have to talk Sarah into it. She's afraid one of her goats will get hurt I've been using a pour on a couple times this year cause the flys were so thick thick on the cattle and my back rubbers haven't seemed to help. I've tried Permethrin, Bronco, and a couple other brands. I've tried mixing diesel fuel with them per suggestion from other farmers and nothing seems to help. Any ideas? I do practice rotational grazing, Running the goats behind or in front of the cattle. Nice to hear from you! Todd

[ctownson]

We run the cattle and goats together with no problems. When a goat is having babies we move her for a few weeks to another paddock away from the cows. We have never had a cow injure a goat.

[Star Creek Dexters]

There is a herbal wormer called Molly's Herbals. If you want to do something that is safe to eat, safe to drink the milk, and so on, this is a great one to use. We use it on our chickens, cows and goats and have had great success.

[spiritedhawk]

We got some Muscovy ducklings last year because of what we learned at your farm. Never saw them go at a manure pile. All they seemed interested in was the goat pen at feeding time. Ducks poop all over goat area, wife gets mad because she has to clean up after them AND the goats. Wife starts throwing brooms at ducks, have to buy more brooms. I should of clipped their wings but didn't think about that till after we gave ducks away. We are looking for a Kiko or Spanish goat buckling to breed with our Boers. Went to a seminar where a university had results from a test they did with Boer, Boer/Kiko, and Boer/Spanish. Boer/Spanish came out on top as far as worm and disease resistance, followed closely by Boer Kiko. Charles... Did you ever run rutting Billies with cattle? Our Billies and Bulls are acting like a deer in rut right now. I could put nannies together with the cows I think. Two of our billies got bad ear injuries from beating heads with each other. I'm afraid Bulls and Billies wouldn't do well together. Thanks again!

[spiritedhawk]

Kimberly, My wife got some of that Mollys Herbals for the goats but hasn't yet found a way to make them desirable for the goats. We've been real busy running two farms. When she gets back to that I'll try it on the cattle. Now that the days are getting shorter I have a little time to get on the internet again. Thanks!

[Star Creek Dexters]

Todd,
I just mix it with their grain. When the first had it, they looked at me like "What the heck did you do to our food?!" But now they gobble it down. They love it.

[ctownson]

We have only one full grown buck on the farm (Jasper). He is in with the cattle all the time and we have never had a problem. He is polled and really myotonic (he faints if you look at him sideways). We typically sell the doelings and bucklings before they mature so we have never had a lot of bull/buck hormones raging at the same time. One bull, one buck and they get along just fine.

[allmuxedup]

Old thread, but Oh Well.

I had my Dexters, horses, sheep, goats & chix in the same pasture. Buck & ram got into it, because they are so similar. The cattle ignored them & they ignored the cattle. Horses just chase everyone for entertainment. The chix go thru the manure piles, looking for goodies. No old manure piles on my farm either. Using Ivermec-anything will be counter productive as far as much of this goes. It kills off dung beetles. They bury the manure on Our Farm & are a large part of why we don't have piles lying around, breeding flies. It's actually in the rental agreements for both houses on the farm that no Ivermec products will be used (except the heart worm meds for the LGDs.)

When using Molly's products, remember.....Wormwood causes abortion! I've used it, 5 times, on 5 animals in 6 yrs. I cull anyone who needs worming. I've only used a wormer to keep them in flesh until it's freezer camp time. They never contribute to the gene pool on Our Farm. We don't find the need for wormer at all now. We never vaccinate either.