Got any good nurse cow grafting tricks?

[3kidsomy]

I got a jersey 2 days ago, she just weened, i got 2 jersey calves 4 days ago and i am hoping to have her nurse them. She isn't really liking it much, she tries to kick the calf off. I have got the calves on a couple times, but just for a few seconds. Think she will get better as she settles in? She is guarding them, and talking to them, and she is standing right at their fence next to their hutch and has been for the most part all day. Thanks in advance!

[willow_girl]

Shoot her up with Oxytocin?

[arcticow]

If you can strip a little milk out into a plastic bucket, try dripping a little on the calves' heads, & on their backs so when they suck, she smells her own milk smell. Works sometimes.

[agmantoo]

Rub Vicks on her nose and on the calves, sometimes that will work.

[Jay]

Tie one leg back. Or stand beside her with your leg wrapped around one back leg.
This thwarts her kicks and you are there participating, not just watching.
Most cows after 5-7-10 days will behave, not guaranteed she'll like them, but deal with them.

[joseywales76]

Originally Posted by willow_girl

Shoot her up with Oxytocin?

lol, oh dear, i bet the cows would love to have you as a vet.

[onthespot]

I only know about horses, but in horses, as long as the mare is a good mama already, and the ages of the babies being swapped out is roughly the same, it helps a bunch to take the mare's poop and smear it all overy the baby, head, face, back, belly, legs, tail, I mean ALL OVER, and the mare smells the baby and thinks it smells like her and usually will take the foal no questions. Now, poop smearing will not turn a lousy mama into a good mama, but it will help a good mama be a good mama to a different foal.

[copperhead46]

it's pretty yucky, but I pen them together, and when the cow pees, which she will if she's a little upset, I stick the calf under the stream and then I use one of the cow patties and rub it on the calfs rear end. this usually helps her take him.
P.J.

[3kidsomy]

Good news! Since she wouldn't leave them we threw her in with them. She laid down(first time since we got her) and one started nursing, while the other nursed her ear(calves, i swear). She was a little sore in the back 2 teets, but she was over it the first day. They are a big happy family now. I supplemented with milk replacer i had already bought them for a week until her milk was up, and they are all doing great. Thanks for the suggestions!

[ErinP]

We just use Calf Claim. (The powder stuff you sprinkle on the calf that the cow licks off)
One to two dozen adoptions every year, it works for the vast majority of them...

Glad your cow just took to 'em, though. Even easier.