New cow and she doesn't like my water or feed???

[allenslabs]

I brought my new jersey girl home today and she doesn't seem to want anything to do with her water, her hay OR her feed. What do I do? She has a nice big fan (she had them at her old place too) and so now am just wanting her to drink so she doesn't dehydrate in the heat.

Any thoughts???

[Reed77]

How long has she been with you? maybe give her more time

[Ronney]

Any thoughts? - Yes, leave her alone. She's been transported, dumped into a place that she is unfamiliar with, with strange sounds, sights, people. She's not a "thing", she's a living, breathing, eating animal that has been pulled out of her comfort zone and will be feeling more than a little traumatised. Make sure she has clean water, plenty to eat and leave her to settle. While your doing this, have a natter to her but don't push it - when you've done what you have to do, go. Within a few days she will be as right as rain.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[BlackWillowFarm]

She just needs time to adjust to her new surroundings. I don't think she'll starve herself to death. Whenever I bring a cow home it takes a few days for them to get comfortable and sometimes it takes a week or two before they settle into the new routine.

Cows like things to be the same everyday. Your girl is just trying to sort it all out. If she's the only cow at your place, it could take her a while to feel secure in her new surroundings.

[linn]

You might give her a five gallon bucket of water with molasses dissolved in it. Cows like molasses, that might get her started drinking. After that she will eat when she is ready.

[65284]

If you are concerned about dehydration mix a box of some non citrus fruit flavor Jello into a tub of water for her, strawberry seemed to work the best for us. It masks the strange scent/flavor of water they aren't used to, and apparently cattle like the taste.

When we were showing cattle they would sometimes refuse to drink unfamiliar water, and this always worked for us and it's a cheap, quick, easy soulution.

If it works you could gradually cut back on the amount of Jello power as she adjusts to her new environments tastes and smells until it's no longer needed.

[allenslabs]

Thanks all!! Just don't want her to lose weight or stress herself out. Thanks!

[ozark_jewels]

I have also had cows that preferred NOT to drink from a bucket, wanting something larger/fresher. I would put in a tub, fill it daily with fresh cold water and the water consumption went up to three times the previous amount. Just a thought.

[allenslabs]

She is finally on board. She has a water trough which is usually cleaned and filled about once a week so far. She likes it. LOL! And we bought her some very nice alf/orchard grass hay that she dearly likes. Even loves my feed now! Wouldn't trade her for nothin' and I don't think she'd like to leave! LOL! Has her own fan in the barn which she shares with a calf and she sometimes gets out and wanders about but for the most part hangs out here by the house.
Guess she is a true diva....why waste energy and calories on walking around when she can be waited on and brushed all in front of her own fan? LOL! Guess she should have been named Diva instead of Elenore. LOL!