Calf mothering issues

[Hogleg]

I have this first time mother that was a bottle calf. Calf born 2 days ago and seems healthy. She keeps leaving the calf in the weeds after a bit of feeding then walks away and does not come back for 2-3 hours or more. This does not seem normal. She lets the calf suckle when he approaches or I bring him to her. This is my first calf to be born on the farm. I have 3 more expected (loaner bull was later in the season last year). Am I being too focused on this or is there a problem? I have an old cow guy friend that says this is not normal behavior for a cow and that she should not be letting him get that far off or away for that long. Last evening I found him in the weeds/sun over 350 feet from her, with her laying down in the run-in.

Comments please. Is there anything I should do to help her be a more attentive mother.

John

[commonsense]

Our cows are much more attentive to their calves than yours sounds. Is there a small paddock or shed they can stay in for a few days? She may develop a stronger bond with her calf if she's alone with him.

[Hogleg]

Going to check for dehydration. I kept her with mom last night because I saw another bred heifer get between them and run the calf off. Mom did not seem to get too upset. Let them out to feed in a smaller wooded paddock this morning (hot here, thought shade would be good) with no other cows, he poked around and seemed to be walking/feeling ok, head up, not wobbly. Laid down after a while and was there for 2 hours while she wandered all around. I got him up, was lethargic, head down, eyes a little cloudy. I carried him to mom and he suckled with vigor, seemed hungry. I penned them back up for now. Seems to be pooping, don't see any messy backside so don't think scours, minor residue around rectum.

[ksfarmer]

My beef cows always stashed their calf and left him for hours at a time. They were always aware of where he was and if anything threatened they would come on the run. Sometimes I wouldn't be able to find the calf for a few days, until he was mobile enough to follow mom. Not unusual behavior in my experience. Unless she never goes back to the calf.

[Hogleg]

Beef calf, sire angus, dam shorthorn/longhorn mix.

[JKB07]

Sounds like your "old cow friend" does not know cattle very well...

Seems like she is being a good mother by hiding the calf, which is completely normal!

Justin

[tinknal]

Completely normal. Many ungulates do this including many deer species. Makes it harder for predators to find when they are not moving around spreading scent and providing a visible target.

[randiliana]

I agree, sounds normal to me. I'd be worried if she didn't come back to get him, but not over the fact that she leaves him alone and then comes back to feed him.

For us it isn't unusual to find calves 1/4 mile or more away from where their mom is grazing.

[Karin L]

Certainly sounds perfectly normal to me too. Like tinknal says, it's very common for other ungulates like deer, antelope, elk and moose to leave their babies hidden in the brush or tall grass somewhere were they can eat in peace. They never stray too far from their young, and it's an instinctual way to deter predators. When you get down to it, cows are very much like their ungulate ancestors, and often when they're out on a large pasture or open range like randi's where coyotes, wolves and cougars abound, it's much safer for the calves if they stay hidden than if they're travelling with their mommas all the time.

[Ronney]

I would agree with the others - your cow is being a very attentive mother although you may not see it that way. I would be far more concerned about a calf that was constantly trotting around after it's mother as that would indicate a calf that wasn't getting enough to drink. Leave her to get on with doing what she does best.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[Hogleg]

Thanks folks! This has been very helpful. It is hard to know when to let nature take its course some times.

Here is a pic of her napping. We named her Chicklet.



John

[tinknal]

Very common trait with angus, both cows and calves. Notice how the calf is holding her head down as if she is trying to "hide"?

[Lannie]

Awww, she's adorable, and she looks exactly like my new little one, Samantha. They could be identical twins.

See?



I have mine in a smaller pen right now, but even so, mom tried to hide her for the first week or so. Now that Samantha has figured out what her legs are for, there's no stopping her.

~Lannie

[Hogleg]

Thanks for the pic, Lannie...they could be twins! I have 3 more on the way, 2 of the mommas look like they are going to bust. Should be anytime! Fun!