Twins

Mc's Farm · #1 02/28/09, 10:34 PM

I so much want to share a pic of the twin calves, but I have no clue how to post pics here.

I raise beef cattle and have a moderate herd of 36, it's calving season and seems calves are being born almost everyday.

Last Sunday evening I notice a newborn walking among the herd trying to find it's momma. All the cows were bucking or kicking it away, I rescued and hauled up to the catch pen, till I could figure out which was the momma. Found & got her up to the pen, but she was not taking the calf. Had to put her in head locks and tie her hind foot down in order for the calf to nurse. Things were working ok, till Monday evening I look towards the herd to see another newborn walking among them searching for it's momma. I ride out there and do some searching, not finding any cow without a calf. Get the calf on the ATV and head to the pen...lo & behold I get there and the cow starts a low moo and the calf runs to it. She start licking it, and lets it nurse with no butting or kicking. Well, this is her calf who does the other belong to? Bright and early Monday morn, I head out with my records and check each individual cow. Each is identified, either they have a calf or due to have one.

My nurse cow had not calved yet, so I couldn't use her. I did what I was always told that in order for a cow to accept a orphan calf to pour vanilla extract on it's back. I had to still put her in headlocks and tie her foot down. By Wednesday, it was still the same. Called a "vet" friend and he told me to separate both calves from the momma, pour vanilla extract on both calves and only put together during feeding time. So Thurs morn, things were looking better, the friend came by to check them out. When he saw the calves, he right away knew they were twins, he even stated a 1st calf heifer having twins probably just blew her away.

So as of today, I no longer have to put her in headlocks or tie her foot down, but I take a fabric softner sheet and rub each calf down good or spray with Odoban before letting them in with her to nurse. I stand watch she still gets a little "nervous" if she starts to butt, I shake my hiking stick at her and she settles down.

5 years ago was our first set of twins, I watch the birth of them. It was really freaky cause once one was born and the cow stood up to lick, I noticed the feet of the other. Bitsy was a excellent mother to them. I'm sure Binky will be too, just give her a little more time.

Mc