bottle or bucket for newborn 6hrs old

duckidaho · #1 07/12/12, 08:25 PM

Hi, we have a newborn calf to our Jersey cow. Mama is doing great (licking, nuzzling, protecting etc.) but isn't letting the new calf latch on to nurse. Any suggestions? Should we go with a bottle or a bucket for a calf this young. She was born this morning. Thanks a bunch.

We tried holding mama and latching the calf. That only works as long as we are holding the mama. We tried a bucket and the calf took a few slurps, but didn't get into it the way we would've liked to see. Help.

Kato2010 · #2 07/12/12, 09:17 PM

Is this her first calf? I sure wouldn't give up on this one staying with the cow. This is really early in the game. The only time we would take a calf away from a cow so early is if the cow is a nut case, and is trying to kill the calf. It doesn't happen often, but we have seen it. Those cows go for a one way truck ride. Your's is just antsy, not mean. They get over "antsy".

The cow's udder is likely a bit sore. Tie the cow up and get the calf going on her. Make her stand. Milk her out when the calf is done. If you have more cows to calf, you can freeze the milk, as it's still colostrum. Then you could use it for any upcoming calves that may need a hand.

Once the calf catches on to the idea, he will get more aggressive. After a couple of days the cow's udder will calm down and be less painful for her, and they'll be good to go.

Kato2010 · #3 07/12/12, 09:20 PM

Oh ya, and if the calf hasn't gotten at least a quart and a half of milk from the cow by now, you should milk her and get it into the calf by whatever means you have. That first colostrum can only be utilized by the calf within the first twelve hours or so, and it's very important to his immune system. After a feed of colostrum the calf may be stronger and more aggressive too.

springvalley · #4 07/12/12, 10:35 PM

Yes , more than likely the cow is a bit sore, and if the calf nurses while you hold the cow, YOU HOLD THE COW. She will be better tomorrow, and the next day. But yes make sure the calf gets the colostrum for a few days, some may say it only is good for twelve hours, I`m a firm believer that they need it as long as the cow makes it. And that could be a couple days, up to four. And by all means use the bottle to feed this baby, you wouldn`t give your child a cup after first born would you? Hang in there, it will get better. > Thanks Marc

ozark_jewels · #5 07/12/12, 11:24 PM

If its been several hours and the calf has not had colostrum, I take a bottle, milk mama into it, and bottle the calf with two quarts(or as much of two quarts as it will drink) of the colostrum. Then I stand back and let them try for another 6 hours or so. Usually they will figure it out themselves or with my help on an antsy first calf heifer.
The reason for going ahead and bottling is that after so many hours of calf trying and not getting that oh so important colostrum, it gets weak and frustrated and doesn't try so hard anymore. Get that first bottle in it and it will pester mama for many more hours and usually they will figure it out.
Bottle for sure, not bucket.

Ronney · #6 07/13/12, 05:23 AM

Good advice here, follow it.

Cheers,
Ronnie

duckidaho · #7 07/13/12, 09:41 AM

well crud, the calf is drinking from a bottle just fine and getting plenty of colostrum. The cruddy part is that mama stumbled and went down twice. She got up just fine. I'm waiting for the vet to open to get a calcium bolus. I guess we should have had one on hand. We're kind of new at this.

ozark_jewels · #8 07/13/12, 10:42 AM

There is a calcium drench that comes in a bottle, can't remember what its called, but it is easy to give and acts fast. Easier and faster than calcium gel.

Kato2010 · #9 07/13/12, 11:52 AM

If you're confident with such things ask your vet about this. There is also an injectable form that you can put under the skin, and it works fast. Even faster is an IV, which is amazing to see. I've seen cows down and unable to get up with milk fever, and then get an IV shot. Within ten minutes, literally, they're up and eating hay. I would have a vet do that one though, unless you're experienced with stuff like that.

Miss Kay · #10 07/14/12, 10:19 AM

If she goes down with MF, you need to get a vet out with an IV right then. She can die within hours and not much else will save her. If she does have MF, you will still need to watch her close the next few days in case she gets it again. We add a little dolomite to her feed each day and it seems to protect them from it. It contains the calcium and mag in a balanced quantity.

PaulNKS · #11 07/14/12, 12:07 PM

If you ever suspect milk fever, don't delay.... She can be fine one milking and dead before the next one.