Barry Jhon
Member
Got a calf a week old tomorrow and won't suck or drink from a bucket.any tips? Been tube feeding him to keep him going.
Calf won't suck!!!!!
- Thread starter Barry Jhon
- Start date
Will he suck from a bottle? Or refusing to take anything? Will he suck the cow?
I had one last year, wouldn't cooperate at all, sold him yesterday (!) But not sure how to do a link to the thread.
Bovine said holding a towel over their eyes works.
Honey on the fingers or teat.
My one wouldn't do anything except suck the cow, who had no milk, but in the end I had to admit defeat and just leave him with the cow, having tried everything I knew plus much of what was suggested.
Bovine said holding a towel over their eyes works.
Honey on the fingers or teat.
My one wouldn't do anything except suck the cow, who had no milk, but in the end I had to admit defeat and just leave him with the cow, having tried everything I knew plus much of what was suggested.
Barry Jhon
Member
No she won't suck anything, not even your finger. Will try the towel and honey tonight. Starting to run out of patients.
foxbox
Member
- Location
- West Northants
We've found that dippy calves are sometimes showing early signs of a navel infection (as in they've gone on to develop a navel infection shortly after the sucking problems started). Not suggesting you should jab it without reason but it'd be worth checking it over well to see if there are any issues.
Barry Jhon
Member
The vet seen it yesterday as they were next door, it's up and walking round pen but won't suck.
Gona try again in a bit.
Northeastfarmer
Member
- Location
- Cleveland
You could strangle them when they're like thatThe vet seen it yesterday as they were next door, it's up and walking round pen but won't suck.
- Location
- Warwickshire
I would let it go hungry in the morning, hoping it will be keener at night.
We have bagged calves for 10 days before now, they learn in the end
We have bagged calves for 10 days before now, they learn in the end
rc mx110
Member
Starve the f**ker for a day
No she won't suck anything, not even your finger. Will try the towel and honey tonight. Starting to run out of patients.
My vet was telling me last year that the stomach has to be good and full for it to then empty, which in turn should stimulate the sucking reflex/desire. I never managed to achieve that.
Is she sucking the cow?
Suckler or dairy?
Is she with the cow? She may be sucking when you're not looking. Try separating them for a few hours then let them back together and see what they do.
What bottle /teat have you tried? Shoof is good but hard work to suck. Lambs teats ae soft and easy to start them with, they fit onto a small fizzy pop bottle too, not so heavy to hold for you.
Neighbour had one would never suck any teat, he used to tip the milk into her from a Guinness bottle.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Location
- Near Colchester
I drenched one too until it walked off with me on its back, I hope I never have to do that again.
Good luck
Barry Jhon
Member
Suckler, I'm 100% she's not sucking the cow. Have starved it for a day no luck. Got a teat now that the milk just runs out but she won't even swallow, she'd rather drown her self. She's got to the weekend to make up her mind. thanks for all your tips.
rc mx110
Member
Rub salt on its tongue
Sounds like my awkward cuss, but worse.
Could try
Have 1 or 2 fingers in the mouth with the teat, rub the top of the inside of the mouth to try to stimulate sucking.
Or. Close mouth a bit and rub under chin /jaw.
Try to get head into the natural suckling position (2 fingers into mouth with teat and push down with elbow to push the forehead down somewhat ), better if calf is standing.
Do you have a quiet cow that is in milk that you could stand the calf next to to get it used to the idea of being bovine? Tie her leg back if necessary, then into the mouth with the bottle but next to her body.
Did the honey work?
Or the iodine on the nose someone said?
Could try
Have 1 or 2 fingers in the mouth with the teat, rub the top of the inside of the mouth to try to stimulate sucking.
Or. Close mouth a bit and rub under chin /jaw.
Try to get head into the natural suckling position (2 fingers into mouth with teat and push down with elbow to push the forehead down somewhat ), better if calf is standing.
Do you have a quiet cow that is in milk that you could stand the calf next to to get it used to the idea of being bovine? Tie her leg back if necessary, then into the mouth with the bottle but next to her body.
Did the honey work?
Or the iodine on the nose someone said?
Ask your vet for a jag of multi vitamins
Barry Jhon
Member
All
already given it one, (vitesl) or something similar.
Barry Jhon
Member
None of them worked last night.