When's calving starting 2020

3yr old first calver suckler calved last night. Had to assist, big bull calf, hard pull.
A week early.
Probably waited too long to assist, calf not good.
Calf with the vet this morning.
Now under the red lamp.
Calf won't suck, tried bucket with finger, bucket with teat, got some down with a lambs bottle.
I'm not comfortable with stomach tube, calf has basically no suck - anything I can try?

whelan2 wrote: »

Honey or chocolate and patience

Can you expand on the honey and choc?

Gudstock wrote: »

3yr old first calver suckler calved last night. Had to assist, big bull calf, hard pull.
A week early.
Probably waited too long to assist, calf not good.
Calf with the vet this morning.
Now under the red lamp.
Calf won't suck, tried bucket with finger, bucket with teat, got some down with a lambs bottle.
I'm not comfortable with stomach tube, calf has basically no suck - anything I can try?

What did the vet give the calf, did you milk the heifer and bring the milk with you to the vet?
If the calf hasn't got biestings if needs to get some now. Could a neighbour tube the calf for you?

Buford T. Justice VI wrote: »

Get a Trusti-Tuber, it's a bit pricey but will be around for years. I gave one to a neighbour one evening to tube a calf and he went straight to town and bought one for himself the following day.

It's idiot proof. I know, I've used it.

https://www.agridirect.ie/product/trusti-tuber-4ltr-calf-feeding-starter-kit

Yeah they'r a great tool and very safe

Gudstock wrote: »

3yr old first calver suckler calved last night. Had to assist, big bull calf, hard pull.
A week early.
Probably waited too long to assist, calf not good.
Calf with the vet this morning.
Now under the red lamp.
Calf won't suck, tried bucket with finger, bucket with teat, got some down with a lambs bottle.
I'm not comfortable with stomach tube, calf has basically no suck - anything I can try?

Ask someone else to stomach tube him, just the get the energy Into it. Might come after it, it won't if not getting the milk

Tubing is something you'll have to learn if calving cow's, getting the biestings in in time is the best start for a calf. Same as most things it's a case of just going and doing it to learn. If in doubt perhaps do it the next time the vet is out or a neighbour who may have experience is nearby

whelan2 wrote: »

How is she today?

Thanks for asking lad yea she’s grand injected her she’s eating well and rough to inject so it’s a pain but a good sign. Awful pity her grandmother ad mother are excellent sucklers and so is her sister. She’s a tastier beast than any of them but not over muscled either. Ah well not so bad she’s a good, sellable cow.

First of the year here nice little Hamlet heifer, the livelyst thing I ever saw, up and sucking in 15 min.Would have preferred a bull but can't have it every way

Sugarbowl wrote: »

Where did you order the trusti tuber from? Get a good price?

AgriDirect €75.00, painlessly extracted with a credit card. Justified the expense by having saved a few bob changing insurance provider.

I always have a small plastic bottle, with an flip open cap, of sunflower oil for dipping he tube into. It helps with easing the tube down their throat.

whelan2 wrote: »

See the calf cards now have the dam breed on them

It is something that I remember you suggesting on here a couple of years ago. Someone is listening to you Whelan

wrangler wrote: »

It happened to me many years ago stomach tubing a calf for a neighbour one Christmas day and he wouldn't get the vet to look at it.
Got real abuse over it, saved many calves for him over the years but didn't bother anymore.
Best idea is do nothing for no one

You really are turning into the stereotypical grumpy old man

emaherx wrote: »

Calving started now unexpectedly. Have 3 cows due next week, but one I wasn't expecting for a while decided to calve on the slats. Twin bulls but she's only taken to one of them so that has made for a fun evening.

The mild weather has brought calving forward - nature ignores the calendar
Did you try hanging/rubbing the afterbirth on the other calf?

emaherx wrote: »

Yes, and the cow is licking him, but won't let him suck. They are fed for now anyway.

Hopefully she will settle down as she is probably confused with two. I would take both calves away from her to an area where she can see them but not get to them or them to her. Absence makes the heart grow stronger
Edit - meant to say, don't give her any nuts/meal until tomorrow morning, then give her a bucket with nuts and let the rejected calf out to her first, and see how it goes. I'm presuming that she isn't wicked towards you or the calf.

Base price wrote: »

Hopefully she will settle down as she is probably confused with two. I would take both calves away from her to an area where she can see them but not get to them or them to her. Absence makes the heart grow stronger
Edit - meant to say, don't give her any nuts/meal until tomorrow morning, then give her a bucket with nuts and let the rejected calf out to her first, and see how it goes. I'm presuming that she isn't wicked towards you or the calf.

No she's quite good to be fair, like you said she's confused by 2 of them. They are all lying together now I'll leave them as is untill tomorrow as it's a cold foggy night.