Fostering a calf tips

drawnacrol

I have a hereford cow thats very quiet, easy to handle but she lost her 5 day old calf. It strangled itself in the squares of some sheep wire. :mad: He's gone to the nackery now so skinning is not possible.

I bought a Friesian calf to foster on her. I keep the two in separate pens beside one another until feeding. She is fine up the crush and lets the calf suckle her for 10-15 mins draining her. I've done that 9 times now(3 times a day).

On the most recent one I risked letting the cow out of the crush after to the calf and she kind of stood for him, she'd wait about 30 seconds and then lightly kick to brush him away or lightly nudge him. The calf is very persistent so I don't think he will have any trouble sucking her in the field.

Are there any tips to get a bond going between the two? I want the calf to know that this is his mother and not to pester all the other cows for milk when I eventually introduce him to the heard. The cow has no problems going up the crush for meal every time but she is very confused at whats happening.

lab man

9 days it usually takes with a calm cow we notice here 21 with a lively cow just keep at it tisnt too bad wen the calf is strong enough to keep after her

Jimlh86

I remember years ago we had to do the same thing. The father rubbed the cows dung on the cows backside. I don't recall if that's what did it but the cow took to the calf. Best of luck with it, what a horrible way to lose a calf!

Sam Kade

Jimlh86 wrote: »

I remember years ago we had to do the same thing. The father rubbed the cows dung on the cows backside. I don't recall if that's what did it but the cow took to the calf. Best of luck with it, what a horrible way to lose a calf!

Calfs backside you mean, surely.

Jimlh86

Sam Kade wrote: »

Calfs backside you mean, surely.

Apologies, yes of course! Otherwise we are just into some weird s**t down our way