|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 11, 2011 18:20:27 GMT -5
Could someone please tell me how much and how often I need to feed a Dexter calf? He is two days old. He has gotten colostrum from his mother for two and a half days. Thank you so much for reading this and your help!
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by ctownson on Jul 11, 2011 19:50:21 GMT -5
Are you separating the calf from mom? If he is nursing, why do you want to bottle feed? Give us some more details.
|
|
|
|
Post by Star Creek Dexters on Jul 11, 2011 20:39:42 GMT -5
Hi Susan,
Just for reference, you will bottle feed a calf 1 gallon a day from 2 days, (after colostrum), until they are weaned. Start off with 1 quart 4 times a day, unless the calf starts to get running poo, then cut back to 1 pint 8 times a day. After the first couple weeks you can slowly change over to 1/2 gallon twice a day. Try to get a formula that is soy free. Whey based is a much better option.
So sorry you are having such a hard time. Good luck with your cow and calf.
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 11, 2011 21:58:33 GMT -5
I have two separate issues. One is a cow/calf pair. The cows udder is so big it seemed the two day old calf wasn't going to be able to get enough. The 12 year old cow has not been nurturing like the other cows. Thought we might have to bottle feed. We got some very helpful advice tonight. Going to let this calf stay with his mom and try to milk her some.
The other problem is a calf that is due tomorrow, it's momma can't nurse it. The vet said none of the four teats are usable. She was the first cow we purchased a year and a half ago. She's very sweet. We're hoping for a heifer! I'm trying to get prepared for this calf. Have the colostrum and milk replacer, nipples and bottles. How to get the calf to suck the bottle? Should I keep the calf with it's mother? or remove it from the start and keep it removed?
Thanks so much for your advice Kim. Is there a special way to get the calf to accept the bottle?
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by Star Creek Dexters on Jul 11, 2011 22:29:27 GMT -5
If the calf is hungry, it will eventually take the bottle. Stand over the calf, with it inbetween your legs, facing the same direction as you. Put your hand under it's head to bring it up and use your thumb and middle finger, one on either side of it's mouth, to force open it's mouth. Put the nipple all the way in and keep the head tilted up. It may baulk the first couple days, but it will soon come running when it sees you. If it really fights the bottle, try to let it suck your fingers to engage the sucking reflex first.
Good luck, and keep us posted on how it's going!
|
|
|
|
Post by wanette on Jul 11, 2011 22:48:37 GMT -5
Susan, good luck with your bottle babies, I just went through this totally unprepared and unexpected and at 3 weeks baby is doing great. It does take a couple of weeks before these small babies gain enough strength to really be able to tackle a large udder, I had no idea how easily they tucker out and was quite frustrated.
The only thing I would add to Kim's advice is use the small goat or lamb nipples for the bottle for at least two or three weeks.
How to get them to suck the bottle? Get some milk on the nipple and on your fingers, start her sucking your fingers and slip the nipple in her mouth. Sometimes it helps to stand over them and hold the bottle in front, please don't ask me to post a pic of that manuver, but they get a sense of being under mom, I guess, anyway they seem to respond well.
I left my calf with mom as we were hoping it could eventually nurse, which it did, but while it wasn't nursing mom kept her clean and all the other mom things except nurse which I thought was a good thing and mom was happier.
If you want to compare udder's check my posts under udderly big cow.
I wouldn't have made it without the help from this forum, its a great group.
Wanette
|
|
|
|
Post by wanette on Jul 11, 2011 22:51:59 GMT -5
Sorry Kim, I took so much time writing I didn't realize you had posted.
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 12, 2011 23:01:15 GMT -5
This is my poor cows udder. We milked her this afternoon. The milk seemed ok. Both front quadrants were firm like muscle and doesn't seem to be producing. Her calf has been nursing one of the back quadrants.
Thanks Wanette for your help. You're right, getting the calf to start sucking on my finger. sounds like that would work.
For this calf, we will hope his momma can feed him.
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 13, 2011 1:01:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 13, 2011 1:05:49 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 13, 2011 1:35:34 GMT -5
I never imagined I would post these pictures. It is embarrassing. But it is what it is. We love her. We will never let her breed again. This is our first calf with her. Really struggled with the decision whether we needed to try to start bottle feeding him before maybe he would be too old to accept a bottle? When we started our herd I didn't look at udders like I do now. I just saw udders like ears or tails, or horns or polled, they all look a little different but they 're all Dexters. I've definitely changed my thinking. This new person has a LOT to learn and I have learned a lot reading on this forum when I can. Thank you all for sharing your wisdom!
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by kansasdexters on Jul 13, 2011 7:38:43 GMT -5
Susan, Keep working on getting the two front quarters to release milk. Use a warm, wet towel to wash the udder and massage the quarters. Put some glycerine or bag balm on the teats to keep them soft and supple. Then try expressing milk from each quarter. Make sure that a waxy plug is not clogging the teat(s). Once the cow lets down her milk, try to completely milk out those front quarters. Be patient, because it can take several attempts to accomplish this. After milking, you may also want to apply an udder lotion (i.e. Udder Comfort - available from www.livestockconcepts.com ) to help improve circulation and to help soften the quarters. Udder Comfort lotion is very minty, so don't put it on the udder before milking. We used this on Siobhan (our Kerry cow) when she had udder edema and it seemed to help reduce her discomfort and to soften the quarters which were rock hard. You may also want to consider getting and using an udder net (cow bra) for this cow to better support and protect her udder while it is so enlarged: www.springwateranimalsupply.com/items/milking-supplies/udder-health/13-76SM-detail.htmPatti |
|
|
|
Post by otf on Jul 13, 2011 9:07:57 GMT -5
Aislinnmeadows, I looked at the photos (had to double click to see larger versions). Photo #1 appears to be the same cow; not sure when photo was taken, but she looks in rough shape.
The two front quarters appear to be nonfunctional? Rear quarters will need some major help to relieve the pressure. Has your vet seen this udder? Has this cow previously had calves? Sorry for all the questions.
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 13, 2011 9:13:40 GMT -5
Oh Patti, Thank you!
We thought the two front quarters were just not going to function. With this information it seems her udder has hope. Should the milking out of those two quarters happen at one sitting or can it happen over a period of a couple of days?
I think an udder net might make it easier for her.
Kimberly, thank you for your help and the stanchion plans!
Wanette, thank you and good luck with your little calf and cow.
The vet is coming out this afternoon. She is also having trouble passing the after birth.
Susan
|
|
|
|
Post by aislinnmeadows on Jul 13, 2011 9:25:13 GMT -5
otf,
Yes, photo #1 is also this cow. Picture was taken the second day we had her, March 2010.
We worked on milking her yesterday. Two front quarters firm, tight and teats small. We tried to relieve pressure in the one back quadrant that I don't think the calf has nursed.
We tried to load her in the trailer a couple of days ago. After over an hour, with the heat and all she was getting so stressed out! Vet couldn't come yesterday. Expecting him today. Calf is pooing and peeing. He's so sweet.
Susan
|
|
