Problem and Debate...need quick answer

[Nicole Irene]

So, quick background:
Fawn got into the shed and ate about 30 lbs of grain on Tuesday. Tuesday she was fine but had diarrhea, milk was fine. No bloat, walking around fine.

Wednesday she had diarrhea really bad and not much of an appetite. Her milk production went from 2 gallons to 0.75 gallons and it was really watery. I did some research and we gave her some baking soda that night.

Today, she is having regular-ish bowel movements, though still full of grain. She is eating a bit more and drinking/walking around fine.

Dilemma: Hubby says we should milk her tonight to strip out any bad milk.
I say we should leave her be and let the baby get all the milk she needs (the calf is only 2 weeks old), although it may not be great.

Thoughts? (X posted on the family cow board)

Thanks in advance!
Nicole

[tinknal]

I don't think it is worth arguing over either way.

[topside1]

Milking at 11pm. That's a bit late isn't it? I'm sure the cow will be fine no matter which choice you choose...Topside

[springvalley]

If she`s not giving that much, I would probly let the calf do the milking. > Marc

[TroutRiver]

Either option would work. If shes' not giving enough milk to be worth it, or if the milk isn't worth drinking (if it's really watery) then let the calf milk her. Are you bottle feeding the calf?

[Nicole Irene]

Thanks, everyone. We are on Pacific Time and the sun sets late, so it was still light when I posted.

As for arguing about it? Nah, it was more of a presenting of 2 ideas and neither of us has a clue or any experience enough to really argue our '"superior" point, so we needed someone's idea with more experience.

TroutRiver, the calf is on her 24/7. We did end up letting the calf take it. We'll check again, today.

Thanks everyone! I can't imagine how anyone attempted starting a homestead before the internet and all of books now written on homesteading, cows, pigs, etc...without having been raised that way.