What to do about sucking bums?

bluefish · #1 08/08/12, 11:27 AM

I've got a problem with one calf sucking on the other. They are both bottle calves, cut males. The one being sucked on has a gimpy leg, so he can't really run away or kick. He's getting an open sore. Is there anything I can do about this besides separating them?

MDKatie · #2 08/08/12, 12:02 PM

Why don't you want to separate them? Not sure what else you can do, and that would be the easiest solution.

Copperhead · #3 08/08/12, 01:20 PM

Separate their paddock with a single hot wire. They'll still be able to associate and "hang out". After a few shocks, they'll stay close, but apart. The sucking urge is strongest right after feeding time.

Once they get a little bigger, feed one, put him out to graze, and then feed the 2nd. We grazed them in our backyard with a 5 ft. halter/leash around their necks up to 300 lbs. They might not want caught, but if you walk slowly, you can step on the leash before they take off. After a few weeks, they quit trying to run away at all.

P.S. We wean them from the bottle to grain between 6 and 8 weeks.

bluefish · #4 08/08/12, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDKatie

Why don't you want to separate them? Not sure what else you can do, and that would be the easiest solution.

Mostly 'cause it's a bit of a hassle. One has to go in the pasture with my dairy goats and they thump on him. They also have a much smaller pasture and get their water with a lixit. I don't think either of these calves is bright enough to figure that out, I don't even know if cow mouths can deal with lixits. So I have to figure out a trough. All perfectly doable, just a bit of hassle.

These guys are of an age to be weaned easy enough, I was just going to finish out the bag of replacer. After that's done, maybe the urge to suck would go away? I would like to have them together by fall. The logistics of feeding the calf and the goats separately is a bit tricky. Not such a big deal now when everybody is on pasture.

Kato2010 · #5 08/09/12, 10:19 PM

You could get him a QuietWean nose flap. It's used for weaning calves from their mothers, but I don't see why it wouldn't work here. It's a plastic flap that just hooks into their nose, and stops them from being able to suck. They can graze, drink, and whatever with no problem. You wouldn't have to leave it in forever, just until he gets over the habit.

Here's a link QuietWean - How it works

A lot of cow herds use them and like them.

Chaty · #6 08/11/12, 08:21 AM

Yep that is what I do with my weaning calves I put a weaniing ring or flap in their noses as this helps save the heifers udder. They are very inexpensive and easy to put in and take out.