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any tips for getting a heifer to take a calf?

  • 23-12-2016 05:48PM
    #1
    bosallagh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9 ✭


    i had heifer calved last night however dident really lick calf and only will let it suck in the crush


Comments

  • #2
    Water John
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,916 ✭✭✭✭Water John


    Letting it suck in the crush isn't too bad, persevere. Should be ok after a few days. Sorry for the Christmas day duties. A dog around the place will make the cow protective.
    If its just nervousness and not flighty, she will calm down. I would stick with the crush for a number of days until the calf is robust enough to stick in.


  • #3
    L1985
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,016 ✭✭✭L1985


    After a couple of days on the crush I'd be putting her in the yard with a bucket of nuts and letting the calf drink from her in the yard. Keep an eye the first couple of times and take the calf away after. Cow starts looking for the calf than and it builds the bond. We just did that there to get a cow to take on a new calf and it works well. Keep the cow isolated as well don't let her on with the other cows.


  • #4
    Genghis Cant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,979 ✭✭✭Genghis Cant


    Patience, time and continue what your doing. At all times maintain visual contact between cow and calf. If the heifer doesn't mind leave them together at all times. If she's in danger of hurting the calf, keep them in the same pen but the calf protected in a corner with a gate.


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