Drinking out of the wrong fountain

[Karen in Alabam]

I think Ricky Bobby (Red Angus bull calf) is stealing serous sips from Sissy my Jersey/Guernsey.

I caught stealing a slurp this morning--sneaking in the back between her legs while she was distracted by me.

I usually get over a gallon from her each time and the last couple of nights I only got half a gallon if I was lucky.

I couldn't understand Judi Mae drinking all that and figured she had some help, but I couldn't prove it.

[goodhors]

Can you put him in another field? If they can't be separated, they still sell those clip on nose weaners. Not nice, but the weaner plate is clipped into the calf nostrils and covers the calf mouth so he can't get a teat when his head is tipped upward.

Here is the modern version, looks easy to apply and pretty cheap!

QuietWean Calf Weaner | PBS Animal Health

You may want a couple on hand, in case they get broken or you have several calves to do in the future. Just one shipping price then.

Interesting trying to find a photo of what I remember, and learning the "new" method and reasons behind it. Seems that calves wean easier (less stress) and quieter, using these devices and left in with the mothers for a week or two before separating them to sell off. This time wearing the weaner devices while still with the mother cow is called "pre-conditioning". Cows still have their calves, but dry up with no nursing. Calves get to eating well on grass, hay, grain with no milk, can hang with mom, but tend to group with other calves. So using the weaners a big help in reducing scours, animals going thru fences, related problems of stressed calves when they are finally parted from the mother cows.

And one person said such devices were always called "blabs" in the past, for the bawling of the cattle at weaning time. All the reading behind using the device was quite interesting. I learn something new all the time!!

[bama-newsteader]

Do you think there may be a problem with Lucy's supply? Would he go looking elsewhere if he were getting enough from his own momma?

[gone-a-milkin]

Still havent built yourself some new pens then?

How old is that Ricky Robby getting to be now?
He sounds like a little piggy.

[Karen in Alabam]

Ricky Bobby and Judi Mae were both born the middle of January, so they are about 3 months old.

Ricky Bobby is Lucy's second calf. I haven't given her a good look, but with BJ her first, I thought he wasn't getting enough milk, so we started him on calf starter feed. I thought her bag looked better this time around, so haven't gotten too involved with the calves, besides they won't let me get too close--both are growing good and look in good shape. Judi Mae is actually 5 days younger, but she is going to be bigger than him--Lucy is a very short cow and Sissy very tall.

When I go out this afternoon, I will give her a good look.