Seperateing calf from Mother (Part 2)

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Ok I only have 2 cows and she had twins (We got lucky The first time YA RIGHT)Anyway How could how could I Avoyed a brake out We live on the only farm for a mile . and I could not aford a her braking out .Do you think that if I put the calves in a calf hutch in the same pature along side her barn ,till I sell them, Do you think that that would reduse the risk ok a brake out ,Or do you think that I should Lock the mother in the barn for a few day til she gets over it . thanks David

-- David (Middleman65@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002

Answers

Do you have bad fences?

I am assuming you mean that you don't want the mother cow to break out of the fence when you sell the calves. Usually the mother goes looking where she last left the calves. She doesn't go dashing down the road after the trailer. Cows aren't usually quite that smart. :-)

If your fences are in good shape, you should have no problems.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.


I still need to know the age, if they are going to be sold anyway why not just leave them together and put a creep feeder so the calfs can feed on grain as well as nurse? Weight is what deterimines their value, plus its a lot quieter and no threat of break out.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), April 14, 2002.

One point to think about in selling the calfs is that the price for bottle calfs is HIGH here in Santa Fe Tx.over a $100.00 each any milk or feed that You put in them wont be a return unless they are fed out to a much higher weight.

Check it out and the quicker the better it might be if You are going to sell them before they are 200 pounds.

God Bless.

-- charles Steen (xbeeman412@aol.com), April 14, 2002.


David, I'm with Mitch. Why do you feel you have to seperate/wean them if you are planning to sell soon anyway?

I no longer wean my calves. I let the moms do it. Matter of fact, I have/take the luxury of trying to give my animals as natural an existance as possible.

Weaning is difficult for the Mom and the calf and unless you have to do this - I'd say leave it alone. The calf will continue to grow and thrive on Mom's milk, whereas you are going to experience some loss of weight and condition when the calf frets over the seperation.

I had a jersey/cross jump a tall gate and then a cattle panel fence to get to her calf some years ago, mushing down the tops of both.

Judy

-- Judy (JMcFerrin@aol.com), April 14, 2002.


David, Some people we knew had 750-800 calves that were weaned all as one bunch. They loaded the calves up and drove them 26 miles to their farm. The cows were left in the pastures where they had spent the summer. That night something spooked the calves and all of the calves broke out of the corrals and headed back to the pastures where their mothers were waiting. Traveling 26 miles!! ALL of the calves made it back to their mothers safe and sound after crossing a hiway and going through a town. Don't take any chances! Be sure the calve's pen is strong and can hold them in. Same with the cows, lock them in the barn if you have to.

-- J (jjdenton@st-tel.net), April 14, 2002.


Ok How long do you think that I should keep the cow locked in the barn for If I have to?

Thanks david

-- david (middleman65@hotmail.com), April 14, 2002.


Until the cow and calves stop bawling, at least three days maybe a day or two longer. If you read the "sign of the moon" you should wait to wean until April 27th. It is supposed to be less stressful on the calves on or after that date.

-- J (jjdenton@st-tel.net), April 14, 2002.

J. Where do you come by your moon phase information? I've found some info on planting, transplanting, weeding by the phases of the moon, but nothing like weaning.

-- Nina (ingardenwithcat@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.

Nina, In the Old Farmer's Almanac, is a man of signs, different parts of the body correlate with different signs of the zodiac. For weaning you want the "sign" to be past the stomach (belly). Virgo is the belly so one should wean when the sign is past virgo, and definately not when the sign is before or going into virgo. When you castrate the sign should be after Scorpio (the secrets), so during Sagittarius. If you need a further explaination feel free to email me.

-- J (jjdenton@st-tel.net), April 15, 2002.

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