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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 5:05:58 GMT -6
Dash mentioned docility regarding high headedness. I put docility first on the list but a close second is maternal instincts.
Both docility and maternal instincts are strong traits in the Simmental breed. Even my heifers go right to work when they have their first calf.
I hear and read about having trouble with heifers, a lot of folks hate breaking in heifers. Knock on wood, it has not been a problem here. I enjoy bringing on heifers.
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Post by franklinridgefarms on Jan 13, 2020 7:22:22 GMT -6
There are more problems associated with heifers calving and caring for their calves than with cows, however I believe that with good management practices that can be reduced. I’ve always enjoyed the aspect of raising and keeping our own replacements. I do watch them pretty close. We have 11 heifers to start calving in about a month, and 3 more in the fall. We do have to assist one now and then, not sure if percentage but certain it would be well under 10% . The instances of problems outside of initial calving like not claiming the calf or not having enough milk have been rare.
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Post by tcranch on Jan 13, 2020 7:36:29 GMT -6
Knock wood, I've only had one bad experience with a first calf heifer not mothering-up and that was 7 years ago. We hadn't moved the heifers to the barn yet and she calved earlier than anticipated, took one look at her calf and hit the road. Couldn't get her back and it was freezing so we took her calf to the barn to clean it up, colostrum, etc. Went back to the pasture with the trailer and by this time she was trying to gank another calf. Moved her to the barn & she would have nothing to do with her calf so we penned them together and essentially forced the love. She bawled the most at weaning and has been a fabulous mama ever since. I've kept all her heifers. BTW she's Angus/Hereford and whateverthehell, compliments of our neighbors bull (and our quintessential red headed step child).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2020 12:06:26 GMT -6
I haven't had nearly as many cows as most of you but I have never once had an issue with my heifers mothering abilities. My Angus X Holsteins are the best mothers I have had yet. I have though received handfuls of really great calves that were rejected that I raised on a bottle for ranchers. The worst heifer I have had to date was a Jersey. She was the worst mother. Terrible nurse cow too.
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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 12:08:22 GMT -6
I haven't had nearly as many cows as most of you but I have never once had an issue with my heifers mothering abilities. My Angus X Holsteins are the best mothers I have had yet. I have though received handfuls of really great calves that were rejected that I raised on a bottle for ranchers. The worst heifer I have had to date was a Jersey. She was the worst mother. Terrible nurse cow too. Thanks for the post. Don't stay away so long. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2020 12:23:44 GMT -6
I haven't had nearly as many cows as most of you but I have never once had an issue with my heifers mothering abilities. My Angus X Holsteins are the best mothers I have had yet. I have though received handfuls of really great calves that were rejected that I raised on a bottle for ranchers. The worst heifer I have had to date was a Jersey. She was the worst mother. Terrible nurse cow too. Thanks for the post. Don't stay away so long. Cant stay away too long. Id miss you guys too much. |
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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 12:26:27 GMT -6
Thanks for the post. Don't stay away so long. Cant stay away too long. Id miss you guys too much. In my opinion, it is folks like you who make these boards a value. We need folks asking questions! If you have friends who need help, direct them here. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2020 12:40:12 GMT -6
Cant stay away too long. Id miss you guys too much. In my opinion, it is folks like you who make these boards a value. We need folks asking questions! If you have friends who need help, direct them here. I have so many questions I could ask for days.
I am having extreme guilt over weaning my calves at 5 months. I am having a really hard time determining if my cows are skinny or if I'm just seeing the Holstein frame. I left one not weaned as an experiment. Shes the only heifer calf I might keep so I thought id leave her on for 2 more months and compare. I have left weaning flaps in now for 10 days on the ones I did wean as I had to take my set up down to add in my new sweep. Am I doing them wrong by leaving them in so long? Usually they have fallen out by now.
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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 12:46:50 GMT -6
In my opinion, it is folks like you who make these boards a value. We need folks asking questions! If you have friends who need help, direct them here. I have so many questions I could ask for days.
I am having extreme guilt over weaning my calves at 5 months. I am having a really hard time determining if my cows are skinny or if I'm just seeing the Holstein frame. I left one not weaned as an experiment. Shes the only heifer calf I might keep so I thought id leave her on for 2 more months and compare. I have left weaning flaps in now for 10 days on the ones I did wean as I had to take my set up down to add in my new sweep. Am I doing them wrong by leaving them in so long? Usually they have fallen out by now.
I have never used flaps. I fenceline wean. Someone else needs to help there. But 5 months on the cow is adequate. Especially, if the calves have had access to good digestible solids. I know a professor at UK who specializes in rumen development in calves. If they get solids early, it promotes rumen development and the differentiation of the compartments of the rumen. If you have the setup and it is an advantage to get them off at 5 months, do it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2020 12:56:57 GMT -6
I have so many questions I could ask for days.
I am having extreme guilt over weaning my calves at 5 months. I am having a really hard time determining if my cows are skinny or if I'm just seeing the Holstein frame. I left one not weaned as an experiment. Shes the only heifer calf I might keep so I thought id leave her on for 2 more months and compare. I have left weaning flaps in now for 10 days on the ones I did wean as I had to take my set up down to add in my new sweep. Am I doing them wrong by leaving them in so long? Usually they have fallen out by now.
I have never used flaps. I fenceline wean. Someone else needs to help there. But 5 months on the cow is adequate. Especially, if the calves have had access to good digestible solids. I know a professor at UK who specializes in rumen development in calves. If they get solids early, it promotes rumen development and the differentiation of the compartments of the rumen. If you have the setup and it is an advantage to get them off at 5 months, do it. I feed my calves grain from the get go. I provide it I should say. They see it from birth. I also have grain bottle feeders along the fence line to get them going early.
Now that I have weaned them early we have been separating them at grain time so we make sure the big girls don't eat it all. I have been thinking about your sanctuary tho. Something I can build to make it easier in the mornings
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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 13:04:32 GMT -6
I have never used flaps. I fenceline wean. Someone else needs to help there. But 5 months on the cow is adequate. Especially, if the calves have had access to good digestible solids. I know a professor at UK who specializes in rumen development in calves. If they get solids early, it promotes rumen development and the differentiation of the compartments of the rumen. If you have the setup and it is an advantage to get them off at 5 months, do it. I feed my calves grain from the get go. I provide it I should say. They see it from birth. I also have grain bottle feeders along the fence line to get them going early.
Now that I have weaned them early we have been separating them at grain time so we make sure the big girls don't eat it all. I have been thinking about your sanctuary tho. Something I can build to make it easier in the mornings
I do too. My calves start seeing feed (don't call it grain, there is a huge difference) at 4 to 6 weeks. They don't eat much. And don't give it free choice. Make sure your feed is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You want growth not fat. The sanctuary concept is designed for calves that require a lot of handling. I halter all of mine. It also allows you to feed without the cows getting it, you can put out some higher quality hay, and it stays cleaner. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2020 13:07:44 GMT -6
I feed my calves grain from the get go. I provide it I should say. They see it from birth. I also have grain bottle feeders along the fence line to get them going early.
Now that I have weaned them early we have been separating them at grain time so we make sure the big girls don't eat it all. I have been thinking about your sanctuary tho. Something I can build to make it easier in the mornings
I do too. My calves start seeing feed (don't call it grain, there is a huge difference) at 4 to 6 weeks. They don't eat much. And don't give it free choice. Make sure your feed is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You want growth not fat. I give them regular beef text and hay at all times.
Now orphans I treat differently. I feed them calf starter. But my calves on their mamas just get the same old beef text everyone gets. Think that's ok? I think its 10%. Maybe 8...
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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 13:10:05 GMT -6
I do too. My calves start seeing feed (don't call it grain, there is a huge difference) at 4 to 6 weeks. They don't eat much. And don't give it free choice. Make sure your feed is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You want growth not fat. I give them regular beef text and hay at all times.
Now orphans I treat differently. I feed them calf starter. But my calves on their mamas just get the same old beef text everyone gets. Think that's ok? I think its 10%. Maybe 8...
It should be at least 12 percent protein. The biggest issue is carbohydrates. You don't want fat deposits in the udder or scrotal area. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2020 13:12:38 GMT -6
I give them regular beef text and hay at all times.
Now orphans I treat differently. I feed them calf starter. But my calves on their mamas just get the same old beef text everyone gets. Think that's ok? I think its 10%. Maybe 8...
It should be at least 12 percent protein. The biggest issue is carbohydrates. You don't want fat deposits in the udder or scrotal area. Ill check my feed bag when I get home. I get the cow and chicken feed mixed up all the time when I'm quoting protein. I am going to separate my calves this weekend from the herd and that will give me more freedom to feed them something else. |
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Post by brightraven on Jan 13, 2020 13:44:55 GMT -6
It should be at least 12 percent protein. The biggest issue is carbohydrates. You don't want fat deposits in the udder or scrotal area. Ill check my feed bag when I get home. I get the cow and chicken feed mixed up all the time when I'm quoting protein. I am going to separate my calves this weekend from the herd and that will give me more freedom to feed them something else. If we can get TexasBred back here, you could post your feed label. He is a great asset on nutrition. I consult a nutritionist at Southern States. Let me add this, there are supplements like probiotics, vitamins and minerals in feed formulations that have a tremendous impact on their value. |
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