Calves sucking each other

Dot Cotton

Hi everyone,

I've a problem with three 6 month old calves sucking each other's teats. They're in a field together & it would be awkward to separate them. Any suggestions?

Thank you

Hard Knocks

Dot Cotton wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've a problem with three 6 month old calves sucking each other's teats. They're in a field together & it would be awkward to separate them. Any suggestions?

Thank you

This should do the trick
https://www.agridirect.ie/product/anti-suckling-spiked

Mac Taylor

Dot Cotton wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've a problem with three 6 month old calves sucking each other's teats. They're in a field together & it would be awkward to separate them. Any suggestions?

Thank you

Can you bring them in and put tar or mustard on them. Otherwise get the anti sucking barriers, bogman might be able to advise on them.

Dot Cotton

Hard Knocks wrote: »

This should do the trick
https://www.agridirect.ie/product/anti-suckling-spiked

Thanks for your reply. I did consider that gadget but they are getting nuts so I assume they wouldn't be able to eat out of a trough with that on?

Dot Cotton

Mac Taylor wrote: »

Can you bring them in and put tar or mustard on them. Otherwise get the anti sucking barriers, bogman might be able to advise on them.

It's awkward to get them to a crush. I did put tar on them a few weeks ago while we had them in for dosing but it didn't seem to last too long. How often would you want to do it?

What are the anti sucking barriers? Thanks for your help!

Mac Taylor

Dot Cotton wrote: »

It's awkward to get them to a crush. I did put tar on them a few weeks ago while we had them in for dosing but it didn't seem to last too long. How often would you want to do it?

What are the anti sucking barriers? Thanks for your help!

Probably once a week, the anti suckling barrier are plastic versions of the metal ones in the link, haven't needed to use them myself just heard lads on here talking about them, don't see how they would stop a calf eating nuts but could be wrong.

Water John

The Quiet Wean plastic flaps work fine and they'll eat nuts grand.

Dot Cotton

Mac Taylor wrote: »

Probably once a week, the anti suckling barrier are plastic versions of the metal ones in the link, haven't needed to use them myself just heard lads on here talking about them, don't see how they would stop a calf eating nuts but could be wrong.

Thank you!

Dot Cotton

Water John wrote: »

The Quiet Wean plastic flaps work fine and they'll eat nuts grand.

Thank you!

tanko

Dot Cotton wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I've a problem with three 6 month old calves sucking each other's teats. They're in a field together & it would be awkward to separate them. Any suggestions?

Thank you

I see some of my calves doing it every year, never pass any remarks, doesnt seem to do any harm.

Dot Cotton

tanko wrote: »

I see some of my calves doing it every year, never pass any remarks, doesnt seem to do any harm.

My heifers are for beef & my concern is that the udders will fill if being continuously sucked & in time may make them look like they've had calves & so I'd only get cow price then at the factory. Also I was told from another farmer that it can pose problems to their udders if they do it for a long time. These heifers will spent the next 18 months together at least so I want to get them out of the habit. Thanks for your reply!

K.G.

Dot Cotton wrote: »

My heifers are for beef & my concern is that the udders will fill if being continuously sucked & in time may make them look like they've had calves & so I'd only get cow price then at the factory. Also I was told from another farmer that it can pose problems to their udders if they do it for a long time. These heifers will spent the next 18 months together at least so I want to get them out of the habit. Thanks for your reply!

the factory go by calves registered to her on aim so no worries there.so unless you are going breeding them i wouldnt worry