Anyone interested in rescuing a blind heifer?

willow_girl · #1 03/04/08, 09:12 AM

Nice little girl. Holstein. About a year old. From a good herd, AI sired, average in the 70s. She is fairly friendly (will come up and sniff/lick your hand) but hasn't really been handled. In a group pen with calves younger than she is. I don't know if she's been bred yet.

I don't know what the farmer plans to do with her. He freshened in a partially blind girl a couple months ago, but ended up sending her for slaughter because she was kind of a PITA. I have a feeling he may sell this one at some point, too.

If there is any interest, I will keep an eye on her and make some inquiries on your behalf.

michiganfarmer · #2 03/04/08, 09:24 AM

rescue? does this mean free?

the farmner wil probably want beef price outta her anyway

Terry W · #3 03/04/08, 09:47 AM

I'd like more info-- the auction yesterday had healthier cattle than normal-- and I am familiar with dealing with disabled animals-- I would need to know more....

willow_girl · #4 03/06/08, 04:04 PM

No, not free! LOL

I imagine the farmer would indeed want at least slaughter price for her, perhaps more -- her blindness won't prevent her from carrying a calf!

But I've never seen a totally blind cow in any herd I've milked or tested. I imagine it must be pretty stressful for them in a freestall barn! Thus I imagine she probably will end up culled.

OTOH, the farmer is an awfully nice guy, and I have a hunch he'd be much happier seeing her sold as a family milk cow than for slaughter.

I have grown rather fond of her myself, but I have very little land, and it's all on a hill (erosion problems) -- I have to be careful not to have too many large animals on it!

Also, cleaning up after 4 cows with a pitchfork and wheelbarrow is a bit much already! LOL

Thus I was hoping there might be some interest, if and when the time comes ...

Terry, if I can answer any questions for you, please feel free to post them or PM me.

jerzeygurl · #5 03/06/08, 04:12 PM

what is the cause of her blindness....is it hereditary

and will he deliver lol

i would but its just tooo far, and we are a bit full at the moment ourselves

willow_girl · #6 03/06/08, 06:01 PM

I don't know about blindness being hereditary ... AFAIK, it's just a quirk that pops up every so often. (I think human babies occasionally are born blind, too, aren't they?)

I'm not sure if she's totally blind, or has some limited vision (for instance, can distinguish light from dark).

Otherwise, she appears completely healthy. She's a pretty little thing, too -- mostly black with white feet.

Comes from a nice clean farm, good healthy herd, well-managed.

I don't know who her sire is, or anything about her bloodlines, but I could make inquiries if anyone is seriously interested.

Jcran · #7 03/09/08, 06:45 PM

At university, we had a Jersey calve with a blind heifer; no eyes. Going back over the records, the dam had started the pregnancy then an illness took her and she ran a high fever. The vet alluded to that being the cause of the blindness/lack of eyes. The heifer ended up going to a 4-H kid as a pet. She did well, I heard.

willow_girl · #8 03/11/08, 10:34 AM

Thank you for the information, Jcran!

For the record, this girl has eyes, they're just non-functioning.

More information: I had a chance to talk to the farmer today. Turns out she's 7 months old and not bred (not big enough yet).

He didn't really have a plan for her. He is willing to sell her for slaughter price, around $300.

I would like to see her go to a good home ... she's a cute lil thing!

I'd take her myself, if I had the room, but I don't ...

JeffNY · #9 03/11/08, 05:28 PM

Does this heifer have BVD? Has the dam been tested for BVD?

Before taking any heifer into anyones herd, I would want her tested for BVD first, not a good disease to mess with, and I ask because she is blind, and BVD can cause that.

Jeff

willow_girl · #10 03/11/08, 09:56 PM

I tend to think not ... from what I've read, BVD calves usually are unthrifty and have other issues. Also, I'd think I'd have noticed it in the herd if it were present.

It's actually a remarkably healthy herd. (It's a closed herd ... that helps!) Very little in the way of calving problems. Haven't seen a case of retained placenta, ketosis or a DA the whole time I've worked there! Haven't seen any Johne's suspect cows either. The owners are very hands-on, in fact they pretty much do it all themselves (I'm the only hired help, and then only because I begged them for a job, LOL!)

If I thought this heifer had any other issues besides her blindness, I wouldn't be trying to rescue her ... but as it stands, it's just a darned shame she might end up going for slaughter. I think she would make a real nice family milk cow, especially for some folks who don't have a lot of money up front but are willing to raise her up 'til she freshens.

If I had 1 more acre of land, I wouldn't be posting here ... I'd be taking her home. LOL

I've gotten pretty attached to her ... I always stop and visit with her when I go to bring in the cows. When she hears my voice, she comes right up to the side of the pen ... likes to be petted. Tonight she grabbed hold of my hat between her teeth, and I had a dilly of a time getting it back from her.

Ronney · #11 03/12/08, 05:43 AM

Willow Girl your a tad far away unfortunately otherwise I would take her. I've had blind cattle in the past and they do very well as long as you help keep them safe which really comes down to basic common sense - a paddock with a cliff edge is not going to be a good place for them.

So if anybody is thinking about it, give it a go. She will follow the herd, recognise your voice and eventually even your footsteps. She can smell water so can deal with that herself, smell grass and the best places to eat, smell any food you leave out for her. And if she can find your hat Willow Girl, I would say that she has some sight and she also sounds as though she is a bit of a character.

Come on, somebody give her a go.

Cheers,
Ronnie

michiganfarmer · #12 03/12/08, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow_girl

OTOH, the farmer is an awfully nice guy, and I have a hunch he'd be much happier seeing her sold as a family milk cow than for slaughter.

As nice as me?

michiganfarmer · #13 03/12/08, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow_girl

He didn't really have a plan for her. He is willing to sell her for slaughter price, around $300.

I would like to see her go to a good home ... she's a cute lil thing!

I'd take her myself, if I had the room, but I don't ...

tell your new hubby to fork over some cash so you can build a barn,LOL

I like those $300 cows

willow_girl · #14 03/12/08, 08:22 AM

Max, my hubby is a smart man! Even from a distance, he could see what a money pit my farm is ... we made a deal ... I pay for the farm, he pays for everything else!

Think I'm letting him off too easy????? LOLOL

(He is amazed how much money it takes to live like poor white trash. Well, I drive a pretty truck!)

Hey, does anyone else know of any forums or lists where I could post this?
I found the "Keeping a Family Cow" board and put it on there ...

I really wanna do something for this girl ...

willow_girl · #15 03/19/08, 02:43 PM

Bumping this thread .. still looking for a good home!

Please, someone????