"2nd Calver" not letting calf suckle

[AftonShepherd]

Had a calf born yesterday to a 3 year old 2nd calver and she just won't let it suck. She didn't nurse a calf last year as it was born with a large umbilical hernia which we were unsuccessful at repairing. She seems to love this calf and it could suck her brisket all day but she won't let it back past her shoulder without either following it or brushing it away with her back leg. Can't decide if it's tried to suckle and she didn't like it or if she's just over excited at actually having a live calf. She's currently shut in a calving gate and the recorder for the calving camera is trained on her lol.

I will persevere and no reason yet to think I won't get there, but is such behaviour common in this situation? Most, if not all up until now, off our cows are no bother whatsoever. Or do most folk not give such a heifer a second chance at the bull? (vet said it was just a freak occurrence and not heifers fault)

 

[wrenbird]

Sounds like she is just a bit over-excited by the “wonder” of it all, and her bag is probably feeling quite tight and tender. Once the calf has sucked a few times and her udder feels more comfortable she will be fine. At least she isn’t chasing the calf around the pen trying to kill it (be there, done that, very berluddy frustrating! )

 

[wrenbird]

Also give her some grub when you are trying to suckle the calf, not only will it distract her from what’s going on at the other end, but she will associate the calf sucking with a treat.

 

[M-J-G]

If she rears this calf I wouldn't bull her again.

 

[AftonShepherd]

If she rears this calf I wouldn't bull her again.

I'm thinking that already lol. If she'd done the same three or four weeks ago I'd have scarcely had time for it, at least cows and ewes are both into single figures now.

It was more a case of wondering if it was common where a heifer hadn't reared her first calf, or just coincidence. I have another heifer this year I was going to run on but not so sure now.

 

[M-J-G]

On the rare occasion that I've allowed a heifer to run over without a calf they've been fine the next year, no reason why not.

I've seen them not allowing a calf to suck when you're present or when they're in a shed, but they are fine once you let them out.
If you've got a small field nearby it might be worth letting her out.

 

[manhill]

Can you restrain her and bring the calf in on your fingef? She might like the pressure release. Wouldn't be mastitis would it?

 

[Timbo]

In the crush with a kick bar or rope around her middle til calf has eased udder abit. Mind she doesn't kick the calf much- they soon get very wary of going near udder.

 

[AftonShepherd]

Can you restrain her and bring the calf in on your fingef? She might like the pressure release. Wouldn't be mastitis would it?

Don't think so. If anything she's not letting much milk down yet.

 

[AftonShepherd]

In the crush with a kick bar or rope around her middle til calf has eased udder abit. Mind she doesn't kick the calf much- they soon get very wary of going near udder.

I'm not totally convinced the calf hasn't already been discouraged. Tubed him for now and penned separately until he's a bit hungry.

 

[steveR]

On the rare occasion that I've allowed a heifer to run over without a calf they've been fine the next year, no reason why not.

I've seen them not allowing a calf to suck when you're present or when they're in a shed, but they are fine once you let them out.
If you've got a small field nearby it might be worth letting her out.

Had an A1 Bitch this time, 2nd calver who had a bag like a Zeppelin and would not let the calf suck. Got her in the crush and got the calf to suck the one side out and then confined her in a shed overnight away from the calf, following morning, lots of moohing and moaning and calf up and sucking... Joy!! Nice when that happens as like teh OP, we too have right Madams that take days...

As others said, on teh wagon with them...

 

[Skintagain]

Throw your coat over her head if she’s not too wild and see what happens

 

[Timbo]

I'm not totally convinced the calf hasn't already been discouraged. Tubed him for now and penned separately until he's a bit hungry.

You may need to get alittle firmer with the cow.

 

[AftonShepherd]

Had her shut in the calving gate with leg tied back this morning. Tubed calf just in case so not sure if it's been put off or just not hungry enough. Will try again after lunch. Last year's calf never stood so she may well have been like that then without us knowing. I won't have the same problem with her next year anyway.

 

[Timbo]

Had her shut in the calving gate with leg tied back this morning. Tubed calf just in case so not sure if it's been put off or just not hungry enough. Will try again after lunch. Last year's calf never stood so she may well have been like that then without us knowing. I won't have the same problem with her next year anyway.

Will the calf suck a bottle? Try some electrolyte to whet his appetite as opposed to milk

 

[AftonShepherd]

Will the calf suck a bottle? Try some electrolyte to whet his appetite as opposed to milk

Not tried yet. Only born yesterday afternoon and seemed contented last night but hungry this morning. Thought I'd better get some colostrum into him - better late than never. Some handy hints though

 

[AGN76]

Throw your coat over her head if she’s not too wild and see what happens

What if it's raining?

 

[crofteress]

Get him on a bottle with her milk , tubing that many times is too many now he needs to suck . You need to get him on her with her tied and leg tied back and you need to do it 4 times a day once you have got him going on her . I've managed with really bad ones on my ow n .

 

[AftonShepherd]

Get him on a bottle with her milk , tubing that many times is too many now he needs to suck . You need to get him on her with her tied and leg tied back and you need to do it 4 times a day once you have got him going on her . I've managed with really bad ones on my ow n .

Thanks, I'm hoping he'll suckle when I try him shortly. He's only been tubed once, I thought (probably wrongly) that he looked full and content enough last night but obviously hungry this morning. If he doesn't suckle then I'll be trying a bottle.

 

[Skintagain]

What if it's raining?

Take calf to mart