Cow beating up calves

[Samcowman]

Had a cow calve earlier in the week and she beat up her calf whilst over mothering it, as in she was knocking it into the wall hard and whilst licking its navel she would knock it over hard. Got it sucking on her in the crush for a day and a half then it went downhill rapidly and I had to put it out of its misery. She had calmed down after a day of wanting to beat it up whilst also mothering it.
Tonight same thing cow had twins and she was doing the same so have got some colostrum down them and shut them behind the calving gates so she can lick them but not get at them.
Others that have calved in between and before have been fine and they have both calved before fine. So my question is is it a mineral imbalance or a mental one from calving and the hormones from calving has sent them over the top? Have had over zealous mothers before but to have 2 in a week this bad seems a bit odd.

 

[kneedeep]

Coincidence and luck (bad)

 

[Princess Pooper]

Think it's just random. We had one like that about 6 weeks ago, licked/beat the calf into the water trough, lucky I got there in time.

I did have something else recently - cow calved and one of the other expectants in the yard with her joined her licking the calf - not unusual. I bottle fed it a couple of hours later (in the dark, by torchlight), calf's head between my legs, and this 'aunty' started licking me, again not unusual, they often do that when the maternal hormones are flowing (even though not her calf). Not aggressive or nasty although I was pretty wary as you have to be with hormonal cows. Next thing I know, this aunty has stopped licking me and jumped me! Fortunately I sensed it just in time and managed to dive out the way so wasn't hurt. Mum was moved and milked next morn but we left the calf in as it was a bit wobbly and knuckled to move and when I fed it again later 'aunty' tried exactly the same thing, although I was ready for her to jump this time. When she had her own calf a few days later she was fine with it but I didn't even get a lick from her! Never had one jump before at calving time - but one to watch out for in future!

 

[Samcowman]

She has calmed down now and has accepted one calf and rejected the other. Must just be unlucky to have 2 in a week.