Calves cutting up teats?

[zephyrhillsusan]

This is an "I'm wondering" question, not a problem I'm having, just for the record.  I read a lot about peoples' calves cutting up the cows' teats around two months old and having to pull calves and supervise nursings or even wean.  These are mostly dairy cows; some of the calves are on mom full time, some of the situations have an extra foster calf in the picture.  With only three calves under our belts, I'm wondering if we've just been lucky--or are Dexter cows tougher?  All our girls are black; are black teats tougher than red?  Or are Dexter calves more considerate?     I've taken quite a few photos of Macree nursing up close, and she always had her tongue over her teeth.  Have you all experienced this problem?  Do you check if you're not milking or just leave it to nature?

[marion]

I only ever saw it happen with my Jersey girl. The cuts were really nasty. I had to pull the calf or supervise nursing. The cuts healed surprisingly fast. I don't think there was a difference in the thickness of the teat skin, in fact I'd say the Jersey had more rubbery teats, which makes me think it might be a difference in Jersey calf teeth or nursing technique. In my 14 yrs with Dexter I've never seen it with any, even when nursing up to ten months.marion

[Fran]

Hmmm, haven't ever looked for it but haven't noticed anything. I do kind of check out their udders when I'm brushing them and haven't noticed any looking cut, sore, red, etc.

[libertyfarm]

I think Marion has something with thinking it has to do more with the Jersey calf. Both Jerseys I've had got horrible cuts on their teats, but never on the Dexters....except when a Jersey/Angus calf nursed on one of my Dexter girls.

Hmpf...maybe it's more of a tolerance issue? My Dexters are amazing mommas, but don't put up with even half the nonsense the Jersey mommas tend to take!

Rya

[dexterlady]

Question!!!...I have a question I need an answer to pretty quick....I have weaned two calves and two other cows have had their calves now...Will it hurt anything to hold off breeding them until January?...I don't want to breed them now because they will have July calves...The highest heat of our summer....But too, I don't want to have trouble with getting them bred for waiting too long to breed them back....I may Have to breed them now if anyone thinks I will have trouble getting them to settle...Thanks...Donna

[Fran]

I hold off on mine sometimes to calve on my schedule and have had no problems. Matter-of-fact, the one that just had a calf in August won't be put back with the bull until January because I don't want a summer calf. It's just too hard on them here (IMO).