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Post by M-5 on Aug 20, 2019 6:28:10 GMT -6
We have all experienced it at one time . I don't have any bottle calves at this time but this will be a thread to put down your remedies and how too.
Most of the time I have gotten them sucking by starting with a finger and quickly sticking the nipple in . I also use a new nipple when first starting because all my others I have opened the hole up . If they have to work harder for it they seem too remember.
Dumb calves are a trick to get going , what are your methods
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Post by randy on Aug 20, 2019 9:27:34 GMT -6
For the most part i don't have to much trouble getting them to suck. Goat nipple seems to work pretty good to get them going sometimes. For a dumb calf it seems to me if you can get it shook up enough that you get the adrenaline pumping instinct seems to kick in.
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Post by 76bar on Aug 20, 2019 17:41:36 GMT -6
I agree. There's exceptions but for those who are slow to get with the program conventional calf bottle nipples thwart their efforts to suck.
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Post by franklinridgefarms on Aug 20, 2019 18:22:18 GMT -6
I agree with the recommendation of starting a calf out with a new nipple, or at least one that hasn't been cut too much. If the calf doesn't take to bottle when I put the nipple to it's mouth, then I will open the mouth with m thumb and push the nipple in. Usually, if they are going to not suck they will just kind of clamp down on it, or try to work their tongue out to the side. I will try to get their tongue under the nipple and pull in in and out to try to stimulate the nursing reflex. Sometimes I will work the nipple inside the calf's mouth to let it taste the milk then pull it in and out. For what it's worth if they don't suck after multiple tries I will use an esophageal tube to make sure it gets it's colostrum or milk for that feeding. I have sometimes tubed them for as much as 2-3 weeks, but usually within 2-3 days they are onto a bottle.
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Post by angusrancher on Aug 20, 2019 18:55:12 GMT -6
Men shouldn't work with a dumb calf. Most of us don't have the knack the way a woman does. Just sayin'.
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Post by backhoeboogie on Aug 20, 2019 20:46:23 GMT -6
I back it up to a gate or panel. I get straddle of it. Lift the jaw with my left hand pulling the head upward and insert the nipple from the bottle in my right hand. Gently squeeze the mouth to get the replacer flowing in the mouth. Hold that head up so the calf swallows.
As the calf starts sucking, gently release the tension in your legs. The calf needs to suck so that the esophagul groove opens and the milk flows to the right stomach.
Really good replacer or else the calf will doggy on you.
Nurse cows are my choice surrogates. They're equipped for this.
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Post by backhoeboogie on Aug 20, 2019 20:52:36 GMT -6
I've got a nursing crate to put a cow in. Release the calves in the pen once the cow is crated. One calf always runs over and latches on. You crowd the dumb ones toward the cow. Some are so stupid you have to put a teat in their mouth.
Usually after graft calves have nursed a cow for three days, they have her scent in them and the cow accepts them. No more crating. If I hold to three calves, I can usually let them all pasture together.
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Post by greybeard on Aug 20, 2019 22:40:56 GMT -6
Yall better than me for sure. If i can't get another momma cow to take it, I call someone and get them to take it off my hands.
I just don't have the patience for bottle calves any more and really never did.
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Post by the illustrious potentate on Aug 20, 2019 23:52:12 GMT -6
Men shouldn't work with a dumb calf. Most of us don't have the knack the way a woman does. Just sayin'. Wouldn't argue. Tend to tube and move on. |
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Post by ebenezer on Aug 21, 2019 4:08:43 GMT -6
Tube until it grows a brain and then make decisions.
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Post by jehosofat on Aug 21, 2019 5:23:36 GMT -6
My wife is good with them, I ain't got the patience for it.
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Post by tcranch on Aug 21, 2019 6:29:43 GMT -6
Agree with a goat nipple, backing into a corner & gently inserting into the mouth. Stimulate the calf's rear end like their mama would - than wash your hands. If they just don't get it I give them a shot of Vitamin B Complex & Nursemate ASAP. Be patient!
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Post by 76bar on Aug 21, 2019 10:51:18 GMT -6
Good advice from all.
Especially:
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Post by angusrancher on Aug 21, 2019 19:10:34 GMT -6
Good advice from all. Especially: I've learned to just appreciate the feminine success, and not ask questions on procedure, such as "did you suck on the nipple to show them how it's done". |
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Post by workinonit on Aug 22, 2019 17:48:03 GMT -6
My method is similar to boogie's. I get the calf backed into a corner with the neck between my knees and shoulders behind my knees. Tip the head back, stick fingers in mouth and insert the bottle. I give the bottle a little squeeze to get some of the milk into the calf's mouth, in order for it to get a 'taste' of it. Hold the mouth shut and work the mouth like massaging it, then rub the throat a little. That usually works. There have been a couple of times where I had to 'throw' the calf, and half-way sit on it and get the process started. If that doesn't work, I give it a few more hours to get hungry.
There was a time when I had a couple of nurse cows, and they were a big help! Back in the day, the cheap bottle calves & my nurse cows are what gave me some of the $$$ to purchase a few decent breds to get the 'herd' started. These days, there's not as much $$ to be made with bottle babies.
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