I bought a Jersey cow from a local dairy farmer. She had just calved about 2 weeks before. The poor thing is so laid back that she would not fight for her fair share of the feed ( all winter long I supose ) and is now very skinny. This is what I am doing, I have worked her up to three of the 2 pound cof cans of dairy mash and 4 scoops of calf mana twice a day. The calf mana is double the amount that a lact. dairy animal should get and the vet said to work her up to that amount but no more. He said to continue to increase her grain but she will not eat anymore than what I am giving her. We wormed her about 2 weeks ago. It was mentioned to me about giving her some oil on her food to help boost cal intake. Another person mentioned giving her garlic to boost hunger. And another person mentioned vit b shots to help ( she is NOT fond of shots!!! ) Any other ideas????

-- Robin (frontzfarm@1st.net), June 16, 2001

Answers

I guess I hit the worng button!!! I was not finished yet! Sorry!!!!

-- Robin (frontzfarm@1st.net), June 16, 2001.

The vegetable oil seems like a good idea. I don't have a cow, only goats, but I use beet pulp to put weight on them. My 130 lb. goat gets up to two cups a day, fed dry, just added to their grain. It seems to help quite a bit. I don't know if it's OK to feed beet pulp to cows dry, though. Any cow people out there with an opinion on beet pulp and how much to feed a cow?

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), June 16, 2001.

beet pulp and molases .Is there any where you can get day old bread ? or donuts ?

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), June 16, 2001.

No I can not get day old bread in my area. In fact I make the bread we eat. I might try feeding her some of our leftovers... that is if we ever have any!

-- Robin (frontzfarm@1st.net), June 16, 2001.

yep, donuts oughta do it, lord knows they sure do put the pounds on me.

-- April (atobias@yahoo.com), June 16, 2001.

Perhaps I missed this, but how long has this been going on? (How long has the cow been in your possession?)

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), June 16, 2001.

For our critters, we use dry beet pulp, alfalfa, cubed or baled, and Black Oil Sunflower seed. For the cows, alfalfa cubes can be fed whole, but you have to grind the BOS, the goats will chew the seeds, but need the alfalfa cubes crushed. This is especially good for keeping an older animal in condition.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), June 21, 2001.

Homemade bread there is NEVER any leftovers.Local grocerys and bakerys sometimes will save it for you for free if you commite to picking it up on certain days .I make sure to let them know how much it will be saving them on dumpster fees and that it is for ANIMAL food.Good luck.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), June 22, 2001.