any tips on getting a heifer to have a calf?

D C

Member
Location
Endmoor cumbria
Had a heifer have a dead calf about 5 days ago, I got a calf for her within 2 hrs but shes still not keen on it. She will let it suck if I stand with them but she would bray hell out of it if left alone. Any advice?
 
No I didn't, I thought she was going to have it and the dead one went. It is the other side of the gate to the heifer as I think she'd kill it if I left them together
Ok, In your situation I'd head yoke her twice a day with feed (if fed the crush/yoke becomes a good thing) don't let her smell or touch the calf to start with.
Eventually she might let it feed without yoking her, while her heads in the bucket.
 

D C

Member
Location
Endmoor cumbria
Ok, In your situation I'd head yoke her twice a day with feed (if fed the crush/yoke becomes a good thing) don't let her smell or touch the calf to start with.
Eventually she might let it feed without yoking her, while her heads in the bucket.

I'll certainly try that. I was beginning tho think shes not going to have it. I'll let you know the progress!
 

D C

Member
Location
Endmoor cumbria
Totally agree there

How long would you carry on trying?
I had one in autumn 2014 that I worked on for 3 weeks (with success) but it takes a fair bit of time out of the day.

I'll keep at it! I was wondering how long you keep trying for! I think 3 weeks will be about my limit! Then the calf will be off to auction probably followed by the heifer
 

hally

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
cumbria
We always skin them never had any success without the skin on but nearly 100% with the skin. Yet I don't have any success skinning a lamb for some reason and don't know what the difference is
 
We always skin them never had any success without the skin on but nearly 100% with the skin. Yet I don't have any success skinning a lamb for some reason and don't know what the difference is
I agree, skinning is pretty much fool proof, as long as the cow gets to bond properly with the smell of the dead calf, best left with it a good few hours hours before skinning it.
Not a pleasant job, but it's well worth it.
 

D C

Member
Location
Endmoor cumbria
I agree, skinning is pretty much fool proof, as long as the cow gets to bond properly with the smell of the dead calf, best left with it a good few hours hours before skinning it.
Not a pleasant job, but it's well worth it.

Unfortunately I dont suppose this will be the last time so I'll try skinning another time. How long do you leave the skin on generally?
 

Top Tip.

Member
Location
highland
I'll keep at it! I was wondering how long you keep trying for! I think 3 weeks will be about my limit! Then the calf will be off to auction probably followed by the heifer
I had one a hfr who calved a dead calve end of Feb I skinned the calve but she wouldn't take the new calve so I stood over her morning and night it was beginning of May before she took the calve. It was just sheer thrawn on my part but I tell you it was a fantastic feeling the day I went into the shed and she was sooked.
 

D C

Member
Location
Endmoor cumbria
I had one a hfr who calved a dead calve end of Feb I skinned the calve but she wouldn't take the new calve so I stood over her morning and night it was beginning of May before she took the calve. It was just sheer thrawn on my part but I tell you it was a fantastic feeling the day I went into the shed and she was sooked.

:banghead:(y)
 

wr.

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Breconshire
Skinning is made much easier if you hang the calf from a loader by its back legs and pump it full of air. Just cut a small enough hole in the skin for the nozzle of a blow gun to fit. Gently inflate just under the skin. Still not a pleasant job but made a little easier.
 

Top Tip.

Member
Location
highland
Skinning is made much easier if you hang the calf from a loader by its back legs and pump it full of air. Just cut a small enough hole in the skin for the nozzle of a blow gun to fit. Gently inflate just under the skin. Still not a pleasant job but made a little easier.
That is really ingenious but how on earth did you come to think of it:scratchhead:
 

D C

Member
Location
Endmoor cumbria
Skinning is made much easier if you hang the calf from a loader by its back legs and pump it full of air. Just cut a small enough hole in the skin for the nozzle of a blow gun to fit. Gently inflate just under the skin. Still not a pleasant job but made a little easier.

Humm, I wouldnt know where to start skinning, a sharp knife maybe?
 

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