Fostering a calf. troubles

Hawthorne

Member
Had a cow lost her calf on easter Sunday it was born good friday with it being easter I didn't get a calf sorted until Wednesday, cow has took till the new calf like a duck till water, but her milk has backed off I have been keeping a good dairy pellet in front of her these past few days with every hope the milk supply will come back. In the past I never had any trouble with foster cows milk it was alway the bloody thing's taking to the calf. What's your thoughts?
 

Hawthorne

Member
Cow still housed calf is suckling her continuously, there is milk there but very very little, only that I'm substitutin the calf with powdered milk it would most likely die.
 
Location
Kent
How long do people give a cow to accept a foster calf. Got one that has been on a cow since last Friday, the cow has been in a head yoke she lets calf suck ok. Let her out of head yoke this morning and she keeps knocking calf off and wont stand for it any thoughts?
 

dannewhouse

Member
Location
huddersfield
glad people have asked this question I have a cow which calved itself a dead calf dad thinks it came out backwards but I haven't really seen them calve themselves backwards I just think it snapped the cord early or something (was still warm and split the bag on landing when I got to her but dead) last sunday (put calf on straight away)
I have put a strong calf on her its as keen as mustard I also put a slightly less strong calf on as I thought if she had 2 going at her couldn't keep eyes on both at same time but ive taken the less strong 1 off today and its on powder and keen for that.
the cow will stand if im there threatening with stick but kicks a little then gives up and lets it suckle but I don't think its getting any without me? how much longer do I persevere? and if I give in will she have trouble with mastitis etc?
I have kept her separate from the rest because I know the calf will just fill its belly on other mums!
 

dannewhouse

Member
Location
huddersfield
no I suppose that would have helped but I wrongly hoped she would take to it as last year a few calves reared on powder suckled her and she let them along with her own (maybe she didn't know)
it was also handy that the calf went off farm straight away so I didn't mess, maybe regretting it now!
we used to cross lambs over without skinning and didn't suffer too much
 

MJT

Member
How long do people give a cow to accept a foster calf. Got one that has been on a cow since last Friday, the cow has been in a head yoke she lets calf suck ok. Let her out of head yoke this morning and she keeps knocking calf off and wont stand for it any thoughts?

We Have 2 small "loose boxes " next to each other with yolks in front, let calf in with cow to suck then before let them out put the calf in other box so she can't see it, always works for us , as otherwise she will just spend all day convincing herself the calves not hers and beating hell out of it, rather than wondering what's next door.
 
I haven't tried one without a skin for about 10 years as I have found it to be a 100% way to do it, and it saves messing about for days spending time getting calves a suck, especially when calving is busy.
A big part of it is to leave the cow with the dead calf for 12 hours or so, that way she has had a good chance to bond with the smell of the calf's skin.
 

kill

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South West
How long do people give a cow to accept a foster calf. Got one that has been on a cow since last Friday, the cow has been in a head yoke she lets calf suck ok. Let her out of head yoke this morning and she keeps knocking calf off and wont stand for it any thoughts?
Lost a calf about 6 week's ago and went and got a replacement around 36 hour's later as cow lost alot of blood due to very prolonged calving as vet came 3x in 18 hrs.
Luckily Sid let me chose my own calf from his excellent choices and took a little hiefer that seamed very keen to suck my finger and follow which is half the battle as a dopey calf and an upset cow are far from a good match!
Any how's the calf was brilliant and it was just the case of wedgeing the cow up tight for the first few times and with me standing real tight to the cow's leg to stop her kicking.
After a few times of that just being there was enough twice a day and three weeks later she's all good on her own and willingly taken on her role as full time mother unaided
 

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quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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