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Post by tab on Aug 27, 2015 13:02:52 GMT
I am weaning the 4 month old calf rather unexpectedly. Mom decided the tap to her humans was off. Her human mom decided the tap to the aprx. 400# calf was off!!! It sounds like Juraissic Park all *over* the area b/c al the doors and windows are wide open. This calf has been with mom only at night since she was about 6 weeks old. I would like to give her more time with mom but I *am* going to have milk! So, we will go to the oad milking routine, no calf. About how looonnnggggg does the racket last? They are in the same barn, not sure if I dare put either of them out for a day or two.
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Post by Awnry Abe on Aug 28, 2015 2:33:49 GMT
36 hours
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Post by tab on Aug 30, 2015 1:30:26 GMT
Lol!!! It is better noise wise but it is still awful! Worse at night and especially if the calf sees me. This will be night number four and they were both whaling the blues a few minutes ago. I feel so darn mean!!! Dh was telling both of them about the feezer and the sale barn. It did not help. I gotta say though, there is milk in the fridge, yummy, cold milk and some of it actually has cream on it!!! There is enough to make some yogurt and vinegar cheese. Gotta try Numb's recipe for cottage cheese.
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Post by willowgirl on Aug 30, 2015 3:32:25 GMT
Four days, wow, they are persistent ones! Be careful if you turn out the calf in an adjacent pen. I tried to wean a colt that way once, but he learned he could snake his head through the fence, and Mama would stand obligingly up against it on the other side so he could nurse. LOL  |
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Post by aoconnor on Aug 31, 2015 1:51:06 GMT
I hate weaning calves! They are the noisiest of all weaning babies on our ranch! My foals will call for mom, but generally I put them with a small group of youngsters and an "uncle" gelding that keeps them company. It seems they just don't really care to worry about mom for more than an hour or so.
Calves bawl for DAYS!!! And the cows...yikes...what a lot of noise! We take our calves away to another location to finish them out, so I'm stuck with bawling moms.
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Post by tab on Sept 6, 2015 2:40:28 GMT
Nine days or so and still having bouts of bawling. We moved mom next door to the calves. Not sure it was the best thing to do but we needed to move her. Tonite when she went out the yelling persisted for a couple hours after she came in. My sympathy is (mostly) gone. Usually hay helps make things better. Cows are not simple creatures!!! I have a lot of respect for the maternal bond. This learning curve is a steep one and definitely a challenge.
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Post by aoconnor on Sept 6, 2015 12:26:14 GMT
Nine days or so and still having bouts of bawling. We moved mom next door to the calves. Not sure it was the best thing to do but we needed to move her. Tonite when she went out the yelling persisted for a couple hours after she came in. My sympathy is (mostly) gone. Usually hay helps make things better. Cows are not simple creatures!!! I have a lot of respect for the maternal bond. This learning curve is a steep one and definitely a challenge. When we wean, we can't let the cows or calves see or smell each other or it never ends. I move mine off the ranch to wean. It would be a nightmare keeping them all here and having to hear the bawling go on and on! |
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Post by tab on Sept 6, 2015 17:49:29 GMT
Sigh...as I sit here drinking a glass of milk I guess it makes it worth it. Cold weather is coming and noise is reduced when the doors are closed. Since the bawling is only sporadic now and the neighbors haven't threatend me, we will get over this w/o turning anyone into dinner!
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Post by copperkid3 on Sept 7, 2015 0:01:18 GMT
I bet a roast beef sandwich, washed down with a cold glass of milk, sounds pretty good just about now?
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