Oh well.... I'm sure he'll taste good

cjb · #1 02/09/08, 11:48 PM

Finally, Violet gave birth to a blasted little bull - 3 days past her due date.

I wanted a heifer! Oh well.

He is stinking, stinking cute. All red with a white star on his forehead and a couple of other white markings on his body.

He is sooo small! He is all clean and dry but once in a while, he sort of shivers. I assume that's normal?

I did feed her one tube of calcium paste directly after the birth just to be sure. The quarter that had mastitis does seem to be blind now. THere was a little bit of creamy stuff (not pus - no bad smell) that came out but I can't seem to milk anything else out of it and she hates it when I try.

The other side is dripping milk, though. I have seen him nurse a few times so...

anything else I need to do? Just let him nurse and milk her out once per day? I did also iodine his belly button.

She is an awesome mama and is very protective. She puts herself between me and the calf but she does let me mess with him. I have even taken him out to inspect him. She has a fit but doesn't come after me.

Oh well... I'm glad its over and that they're both ok but am very disappointed that she had aboy. I wish I could find someone with a brand new heifer that they don't want because I know she would adopt it.

Cat · #2 02/10/08, 12:09 AM

Awww...sorry to hear about it being a bull - but, it's healthy!

I think I remember you mentioning at some point that you live in Oregon? Here is a list of dairy farms, in case you're interested in finding a heifer, that you can start a search for one. I found my jersey bull calves using Manta, and I'm getting a heifer from one this spring.

Cat · #3 02/10/08, 12:10 AM

Oops...

http://www.manta.com/mb_41_ALL_38?search=dairy+farms

That *should* work.

Ronney · #4 02/10/08, 04:11 AM

Ah well, we don't always get what we want and a healthy calf is better than a dead one.

If he's drinking he knows what's what and yes, you can relieve her of the rest. What do you intend doing - sharemilking with the calf?

Cheers,
Ronnie

topside1 · #5 02/10/08, 07:08 AM

Congrats CJB, glad to hear calving went smoothly....Check out the store bought milk prices and you'll be happy it's a bull calf.

Teacupliz · #6 02/10/08, 07:08 AM

I know I've told you out of 11 bred heifer I bought I only got 2 heifers and 9 bull calves. I have two more to go- we will see. but glad to hear the new-s
Liz

cow whisperer · #7 02/10/08, 07:15 AM

Congrats anyhow CJB! It's not all bad with a bull calf..... They are yummy! LOL! So much better than store bought beef, and cheaper too!

SHELBY · #8 02/10/08, 09:37 AM

CJB
You sound like I did when our cow freshened, The first thing out of my mouth was 'Dang, it's a boy'.

Congrats, BTW a healthy bull calf is better than none at all.

cjb · #9 02/10/08, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topside1

Congrats CJB, glad to hear calving went smoothly....Check out the store bought milk prices and you'll be happy it's a bull calf.

I don't understand? Why would it matter? I would get milk from her either way, right? Do you mean because we're more likely to leave a heifer on longer?

Also, this cow has had a calf grafted on her and she took to it immediately. Do you think that, if I found a brand new heifer, I could graft it onto her along with this calf? Or maybe sell this one as a bottle baby and graft a heifer on? I would like to raise our own milk cow. This Mama is ok but she's not that easy to handle and she's HUGE. Also, now she's just a two teater.

SHELBY · #10 02/10/08, 11:43 AM

I think what Topside1 meant was, that no matter what the calf was, now you don't have to buy milk from the store cause you have a cow that will now supply milk.

Something along that line anyway,

farm mom · #11 02/10/08, 11:47 AM

Well, I would just like to find a Jersey cow so be happy you at least have one! We are in Oregon too (Central) and I can't find a thing! I know there are some dairy farmers but they are all in Tillamook area which is a long drive, especially over the pass this time of year. So, it is goats for us for now!

cjb · #12 02/10/08, 12:23 PM

Yes Farm Mom - I'm grateful that we found her. She's not ideal and I would have liked to raise up a heifer to replace her but I'll be happy with her. Personally, I would be happy to just have the goats as I prefer that milk but my kids like cow's milk and my wife likes to make butter.

I've had a rough start with the whole cow thing and the jury is still out for me as to whether I believe that its worth it. We'll see once I start getting milk from her for our family. I milked her for a very short time and her milk was very strong tasting. Now that she has freshened, I'm hoping for a better experience.

DJ in WA · #13 02/10/08, 01:05 PM

As we’ve discussed, I’ve been down your road. I will never again buy a used Jersey unless I know the seller personally. Much better to raise one. Usually some problem motivates people selling the used ones, just like used cars.

It would be worth having a heifer shipped cross-country, rather than settling for a used local cow which is more likely to have problems. Consider the time dealing with problems, the emotional involvement, vet bills, etc. I see people advertising here with heifers for sale.

True, you’d have to wait a while to get milk from a heifer, but it’s worth it.

Personally, I prefer a beef/Jersey cross cow, avoiding problems associated with higher production. Also get more beef if bred to a beef bull.

After having goats, I gave up a couple times trying cows, but I think I’ve finally got it right, and it now seems all worth it.

Cat · #14 02/10/08, 01:25 PM

I think she'd take to a new calf if she's already done so once before. Aster took 4 of them and she'd never had a calf nurse in her entire life having come from a dairy. Not only that, but she mothered them and was very protective of them. I'd say give it a shot and if she doesn't take to it well at first you can always put the calf on to nurse at milking after you've taken a bit for yourself, provided the cow produces enough for all three milk-wanters.

topside1 · #15 02/10/08, 01:49 PM

In other words don't complain about the bull calf, that milk is liquid gold by itself no matter which sex calf it dropped.....congrats once again...

Teacupliz · #16 02/10/08, 04:25 PM

I agree that you are not getting a good price if you have to deal with so many problems. I personally would milk her twice a day and not leave the calf on her- you are likely to loss another quarter out of the deal.
I took good advice from a old time farmer and stating my herd I bought springing heifers- never been milked. This way I am starting with something more likely to no have problems. Cow are just easier to get mastitis then goats.
Hey anyone want a beautiful Highlander/jersey heifer she is tiny and perfect- not bred but is a year old- so any time. $800. So friendly easy prospect for a hand milker.
in NY

Liz

ozark_jewels · #17 02/12/08, 12:57 PM

I was offline when it happened but just wanted to say congrats on a healthy calf. He'll make some FINE eatin'!

cjb · #18 02/12/08, 02:03 PM

Well, we don't really have the pasture to make eating him economical so I will end up selling him very cheaply for someone else to raise and eat.

Maybe I should start a thread with this question but... what do you think is the best thing to do with regards to selling him? As a bottle baby now? As a 6 week old?

a1cowmilker · #19 02/12/08, 02:42 PM

Congrats on that calf, I know the wait was was a hard one.

Have you thought about maybe waiting a while before you sell him? Because of the milking problems with mom you really couldn't miss milking her one time without causing problems that you don't want. And if the calf is on her he can make up a skipped milking if you have to. I am thinking sickness, or out of town emergency that you just didn't plan on having.

About not keeping him for butchering, have you done the math on the cost of buying hay since you don't have the acerage for grazing? How many acres do you have? How is it for growing grass? It might be worth it to keep hime for six to nine months and then butcher him ( if you do, I suggest you name him "delicious" or "t-bone" something to remind the family that he is hitting the freezer).

I have been told that jerseys grow quickly then taper off. That way you could butcher him soon, even if he is not that big he will probably taste good enough.

Wish you the best, you have certainly earned a break with all your work.

cjb · #20 02/12/08, 04:47 PM

Thanks A1 - yes, I am planning to keep him for awhile to provide some relief with the milking. I am very new to the cow thing and the jury is still out as to whether I'm glad that Violet came to live with us.

I figure that I can try the cow thing for awhile and sell her if it doesn't work out. Unforunately, due to the mastitis issue, she is probably worth MUCH less than I paid. Ah well, education is worth something too.