And ...finally!

nduetime · #1 10/14/08, 05:29 PM

Lucy had her calf...finally
She must have been waiting for all of us to leave, cause she didn't have her til nobody was home! She had a heifer...

I am thrilled, so far no sign of milk fever.I tried to drench her myself but was not able to. I did milk a little out and got the calf to drink some. I hope I see her nurse soon.

As yet un-named
And ...finally! - Cattle

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 10/14/08, 05:40 PM

Yay! Congratulations, and a heifer too! Happy day!

nduetime · #3 10/14/08, 06:50 PM

ok, I have managed to get the calf to drnk 1/2 pint. She cannot grasp getting down low enough to nurse...so it seems. I am going to be cleaning up Lucy and milking her out about 3/4 of the way, so I know I can get some of that into the calf. Will she figure out this nursing thing or will I end up with a bottle baby? I was hoping to have baby on during the day and milking in the morning. Any thoughts - suggestions?

G. Seddon · #4 10/14/08, 07:00 PM

Can you tie up Lucy and move the calf next to her? Use your knees to keep the calf next to her. Stick your fingers in the calf's mouth and when she starts to suck on your fingers, gradually move her closer to the udder and transfer the calf onto the teat. Once she latches on and gets going, you will probably see her tail wag. It may take a time or two, but she'll figure it out.

nduetime · #5 10/14/08, 07:02 PM

Thanks, I will give it a try. I think the calf is having trouble because Lucy is kind of low.

ozark_jewels · #6 10/14/08, 07:35 PM

Congrats!! I have never had a calf that didn't eventually figure out a low udder if I was persistant in helping them to eat three or four times for the first couple days. Old Blossom had a *very* low udder the last two freshenings and her calves always figured it out. One steer would get on his knees to eat......

topside1 · #7 10/14/08, 08:27 PM

Trish, sweet calf, heifer too....Lucky you, how about some more young Jersey photos once cow, calf and you get settled...congrats.

nduetime · #8 10/14/08, 09:24 PM

Thank you Lord, this baby finally figured it out! I had her tied to milk and left the calf come too. Boy, was Lucy ever glad to release some of that pressure! We filled the milk can and had lots left over, as I was cleaning up I heard this really loud slurping sound from all the way at the end of the barn. Yup! She found the good stuff. Too sweet, and Lucy was thrilled too. She keeps very good track of where the little one is and is constantly making sure everything is clean! She is a good Momma. I can sleep now! I will try to post some more pics in the morning.

matt_man · #9 10/14/08, 09:36 PM

Glad you got your little heifer calf. They make a good pair.

Rachel

nduetime · #10 10/15/08, 07:52 AM

thanks everybody. So how long before the colostrum is gone and we can drink the milk?
Talk about your thick and yellow...whew!

nduetime · #11 10/15/08, 08:05 AM

bump....

MullersLaneFarm · #12 10/15/08, 08:06 AM

Thick and yellow is a very good thing, Trish! Actually, there is nothing wrong with drinking the colostrum, although it may be too rich for you. We usually milk out about a half gallon of colostrum and keep it frozen in case of emergency.

We start keeping milk for ourselves about a week after birth.

I think Bonnie would be a wonderful name for the calf. My MIL was thrilled when we name our first cow after her. Do you think your Mom would mind??

Definitely want to see more pictures (and larger too!) There is nothing sweeter than the face of a Jersey calf!

nduetime · #13 10/15/08, 08:15 AM

Thanks Cyndi, nope Mom is not too hot to have a cow as a namesake. That's ok though. We are now thinking Blossom (if Ozark Jewels does not mind) or maybe a flower name. Have to check with the Grandkids too!

matt_man · #14 10/15/08, 12:26 PM

We start keeping milk by day 4 for the house. I do freeze some of the colostrum also in case we ever pick up a bottle baby somewhere.

Rachel

nduetime · #15 10/15/08, 12:38 PM

I froze 3 quarts for a just in case. We did manage to drench her with 3/4 of a tube of calcium paste. I think it was cpmk. She had a full one on saturday night too. Man, is she ever strong!

ozark_jewels · #16 10/15/08, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nduetime

We are now thinking Blossom (if Ozark Jewels does not mind) or maybe a flower name.

Go for it!! We originally picked Blossoms name because their are so many names that can be used for her calves.....flowers, etc and their names would still be related to her. Pumpkin was Blossoms mother...Blossoms full name was Pumpkin Blossom.
Picking names is half the fun of a heifer.