ReluctantFarmer
Overrun with beasties
Im trying to get ready for new calves. Got three cows and two heifers that *should* all be due in January and February based on vets predictions. I’ve been reading up on this forum looking for advice. I’ll tell you what I’ve got going on, please tell me what I’m doing wrong ;-)
All the cattle (9 + 2 calves) are on about 4 acres of good grass field (didn’t get hayed so plenty of green still). Upper half is dry, a creek runs across bottom half, so they have access to water. I’ve put loose mineral out in a bunk on the top half. I’ve got them in the small pasture so I can keep an eye on them as we get closer to time. However, this pasture is a bit up from the barn, where I have the cow lot, corral, head gate, and a small manger (it will only fit 1 cow + 1 calf tops). The cow lot is pretty bare, there is some grass, but not much, I’d have to feed hay if anything was in there for more than a day.
My first question: is a field, or cow lot better for birthing? What about if things go south? There isn’t any sort of catch gate or corral in the pasture and, while these cows like a feed bucket well enough, I can’t really get close enough to touch them unless they are distracted with food. Also, I’m not too keen on having to carry a calf across the creek in the cold winter if I do have to take it up to the manger for care.
(Side story, I still remember one winter when my parents had a newborn calf in their bathroom to try to coax life back into it. It was born on a COLD day, and mama hadn’t cleaned it up good. My Dad found it half froze and carried it to the house. My Mom and I spent about 4 hours in shifts, rubbing it down hard with towels and not letting it go to sleep. When we finally got that little bugger warmed up, it was like a firecracker went off. It jumped up and started bucking and bawling and crap was going everywhere, literally! If I have to do that again, I’d like to do it in the manger, so I don’t have to clean green chunks off my toothbrush.)
Second question: I’ve read I need iodine and colostrum. Any other have-to-haves? I will have the vet out ASAP to do anything else like vaccines. I plan on having some heat lamps, ~10 square bales of hay and some cubes in the manger area, in case any of them need special attention.
Third question: on the heifers, given my lack of experience at the business end of the birthing process, most people say to sell them. I did some rough calculations and I should have enough to feed them, so my crazy pea brain is leaning toward trying to keep them (every cow started out as a heifer right?). Is there anything special I should do to prepare for their delivery? Equipment, etc?
Thanks In advance for any advice and I’ll keep y’all posted
All the cattle (9 + 2 calves) are on about 4 acres of good grass field (didn’t get hayed so plenty of green still). Upper half is dry, a creek runs across bottom half, so they have access to water. I’ve put loose mineral out in a bunk on the top half. I’ve got them in the small pasture so I can keep an eye on them as we get closer to time. However, this pasture is a bit up from the barn, where I have the cow lot, corral, head gate, and a small manger (it will only fit 1 cow + 1 calf tops). The cow lot is pretty bare, there is some grass, but not much, I’d have to feed hay if anything was in there for more than a day.
My first question: is a field, or cow lot better for birthing? What about if things go south? There isn’t any sort of catch gate or corral in the pasture and, while these cows like a feed bucket well enough, I can’t really get close enough to touch them unless they are distracted with food. Also, I’m not too keen on having to carry a calf across the creek in the cold winter if I do have to take it up to the manger for care.
(Side story, I still remember one winter when my parents had a newborn calf in their bathroom to try to coax life back into it. It was born on a COLD day, and mama hadn’t cleaned it up good. My Dad found it half froze and carried it to the house. My Mom and I spent about 4 hours in shifts, rubbing it down hard with towels and not letting it go to sleep. When we finally got that little bugger warmed up, it was like a firecracker went off. It jumped up and started bucking and bawling and crap was going everywhere, literally! If I have to do that again, I’d like to do it in the manger, so I don’t have to clean green chunks off my toothbrush.)
Second question: I’ve read I need iodine and colostrum. Any other have-to-haves? I will have the vet out ASAP to do anything else like vaccines. I plan on having some heat lamps, ~10 square bales of hay and some cubes in the manger area, in case any of them need special attention.
Third question: on the heifers, given my lack of experience at the business end of the birthing process, most people say to sell them. I did some rough calculations and I should have enough to feed them, so my crazy pea brain is leaning toward trying to keep them (every cow started out as a heifer right?). Is there anything special I should do to prepare for their delivery? Equipment, etc?
Thanks In advance for any advice and I’ll keep y’all posted
As GB stated, hope the Vet cell # and check book doesn't become a necessity.
