Heifer kicking calf off

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

Had a heifer calve 5 days ago and constantly just wants to kick the calf off when suckling. I’ve checked her mastitis and milked her out incase she was sore. I’ve given her some Endocam incase she’s in any pain.

she loves the calf, she was straight up and licking and is constantly with it. Just soon as it goes to drink she starts to kick it. I’ve had her in the crush twice a day with a kick bar on and that stops her kicking but soon as she’s out the crush she goes straight back to kicking it. Any ideas on what might stop her kicking?

 

[Werzle]

Some meal or a bullet

 

[Nearly]

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if you can put them on safely.

It is possible with rope or hesston band if you were in the scoots.

 

[Werzle]

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if you can put them on safely.

Stand back when she comes out the crush like a rodeo bull

 

[Northeastfarmer]

It’s funny cos I’ve got one exactly the same atm….goes mad for the calf and shouting it then when it tries to suck kicks it off….calf is a week old and she’s not as bad now as the calf is quick but it’s been a right pain….if she doesn’t pack in she’ll get hung up

 

[Nearly]

More likely to come out like a prancing horse.

 

[Werzle]

It’s funny cos I’ve got one exactly the same atm….goes mad for the calf and shouting it then when it tries to suck kicks it off….calf is a week old and she’s not as bad now as the calf is quick but it’s been a right pain….if she doesn’t pack in she’ll get hung up

Got a hfr that had a schmallenburg calf, got a foster calf on her that im suckling in the crush twice a day for over a month. She hates the calf and i hate her but she will rear it or i will die trying. Had shackles on her but no good, rubbed herself raw and still wouldnt stop her kicking. Hands ached from screwing her tail but shes coming slowly, only kicks now when the meals gone!

 

[Cowpoke82]

Try stripping some milk off her maybe ease things a bit if her bags tight

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Got a hfr that had a schmallenburg calf, got a foster calf on her that im suckling in the crush twice a day for over a month. She hates the calf and i hate her but she will rear it or i will die trying. Had shackles on her but no good, rubbed herself raw and still wouldnt stop her kicking. Hands ached from screwing her tail but shes coming slowly, only kicks now when the meals gone!

Try tying a thick piece of Charlie band around her just in front of the back legs and tie it tight on top of her back

 

[Rich_ard]

Had one a few years ago. Never came right. Calf soon found a cow with plenty for 2. Thought I'd try her again but was the same again.

 

[Henarar]

Try tying a thick piece of Charlie band around her just in front of the back legs and tie it tight on top of her back

ratchet strap or rope over her back and pull it down to the sides of the crush

 

[Northeastfarmer]

ratchet strap or rope over her back and pull it down to the sides of the crush

Piece of Charlie band just around the cow works for me

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

The calf now goes into suck and just takes the kicking. I did think about restraining her back legs. She’s a blue out of a dairy, I can hold her legs down with my hands and she doesn’t kick back

 

[livestock 1]

Iodine deficiency
Pour 30ml ish down her back near the tail end

 

[Nearly]

a bit of udder cream on the teats after suckling?

 

[ladycrofter]

Toe a heavy bit of rope around one back leg. It's a distraction.

 

[Davy_g]

Your first instinct seems right to me. Unusual for a heifer to kick their own calf off. Is it worth feeling the bag again for inflammation or chapped teats.
Try some oxytocin and another dose of metacalm.

If that's of no help then all the above suggestions can assist like when fostering a calf, including a dog being nearby to instil that protestive instinct. I wish you the best of luck. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[livestock 1]

One of the main symptoms of iodine deficiency in cows is kicking their calves off

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

One of the main symptoms of iodine deficiency in cows is kicking their calves off

What’s the best way to get iodine into them?

 

[livestock 1]

What’s the best way to get iodine into them?

Pour it on the cows back. She should be away in a few days