All things Dairy

[Rossymons]

We get everything on the cow as soon as possible. With varying degrees of success.

I'm going to have to swallow my pride and be taught how to tube a calf without the risk of drowning. Colostrum intake is probably our weakest link at calving and its time I stop making excuses.

 

[multi power]

What is so wrong with tubing calves?
Damm sight better than not getting enough colustrom

 

[Rossymons]

What is so wrong with tubing calves?
Damm sight better than not getting enough colustrom

Exactly. Its only ignorance on my part that I haven't got myself doing it.

 

[William Mellor]

@Friesianfan red and white heifer calf by Goonhilly Gabriel born last weekend

 

[Fergieman]

Find the trusti Tuber good to use.

 

[More to life]

What is so wrong with tubing calves?
Damm sight better than not getting enough colustrom

That's 100% correct and bottle feeding is even better

 

[Rossymons]

There are a few gaps in my knowledge regarding colostrum. I've always wanted to make a "super colostrum" - select a group of cows (tested Johnes free) and gave them all the vaccines going, snatch calve and bottle everything then freeze it.

With the myth firmly debunked about older cows giving the best colostrum what can I do to insure my girls produce the best stuff?

 

[Friesianfan]

View attachment 623202 @Friesianfan red and white heifer calf by Goonhilly Gabriel born last weekend

Looks good. How is the pneumonia situation? Improving I hope

 

[William Mellor]

Looks good. How is the pneumonia situation? Improving I hope

Changing a few things and hoping but not lost anymore calves but still treating couple that probably won’t make it

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Does many people on here tube all their calves?

Unfortunately yes.

 

[Dead Rabbits]

We get everything on the cow as soon as possible. With varying degrees of success.

I'm going to have to swallow my pride and be taught how to tube a calf without the risk of drowning. Colostrum intake is probably our weakest link at calving and its time I stop making excuses.

Offering free lessons here.

 

[Stuart1]

Unfortunately yes.

Why do you say unfortunately?

 

[Friesianfan]

Changing a few things and hoping but not lost anymore calves but still treating couple that probably won’t make it

Must be hard for you. Hopefully you’ve turned the corner now

 

[bigw]

Everything get tubed here, 4litres as soon as possible.

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Why do you say unfortunately?

1. I don't think the colostrum necessarily goes to the correct place vs a calf suckling a cow.

2. A good healthy calf thrashing you while you do it gets exhausting after a dozen or so. The noises they make are also disturbing.

3. Its labor intensive.

I do readily concede that it's the only consistent way to get colostrum in them here.

 

[lazy farmer]

1. I don't think the colostrum necessarily goes to the correct place vs a calf suckling a cow.

2. A good healthy calf thrashing you while you do it gets exhausting after a dozen or so. The noises they make are also disturbing.

3. Its labor intensive.

I do readily concede that it's the only consistent way to get colostrum in them here.

we only ever bag if we can't get them to drink on a speedyfeeder.
tubing is cruel

 

[Rossymons]

we only ever bag if we can't get them to drink on a speedyfeeder.
tubing is cruel

Do you keep the peach test or swap it for another one?

 

[lazy farmer]

keep for 2 seasons then swap. we have 3 bottles, we all feed when we are busy.

 

[Iogijones]

Does many people on here tube all their calves?

Never tube here

 

[Headless chicken]

1. I don't think the colostrum necessarily goes to the correct place vs a calf suckling a cow.

2. A good healthy calf thrashing you while you do it gets exhausting after a dozen or so. The noises they make are also disturbing.

3. Its labor intensive.

I do readily concede that it's the only consistent way to get colostrum in them here.

This is so important. If joe blogs heard about routine stomach tubing because farmers don’t have time to let it suck were in for another shot storm.
Teat fed unless they won’t take it here with superstart teats.
Overspill also a major concern of mine