Ever have this happen?

[sic 'em reds]

I had a cow calves about a week early to the AI date. Everything is fine with the calf and cow, and the mother is a great cow, one of my best.

Here's my conundrum. About a week after the calf was born, another cow, which is way off from calving started claiming this calf. She would hang out with the pair, and anytime the calf would take off, the non-mother cow would chase after her as if she were her calf. The calf knew who mom was and kept nursing and everything. So I seperated the non-mother off and put her with my heifers, so that incase she was closer than I thought, she wouldn't abandon her own calf. Done deal.


Well a few days after I seperated the non-mother off, another cow started doing the same thing to the same calf. So I seperated her off and stuck her in with my heifers also.

Anybody ever have this happen? I don't get what is so special about this calf that two cows try to "mother" it. I have several other pairs out there now. I don't get it??

 

[Northern Rancher]

You either got some cows want a baby bad or else the next Elvis!!!

 

[sic 'em reds]

I guess, it sure seems ridiculous to me. Its a good thing we eat them and not the other way around.

 

[Big Swede]

Never happened here like that. Only time that happens is when the second cow has a water bag out and is convinced it's hers.

Not trying to hijack but here's another scenario. I've had the occasional cow sucking a cow deal but this winter I've had 2 sets of of coming 3 year old cows sucking each other. I've split each "pair" up to hopefully "wean" them but this is getting ridiculous. I don't remember seeing them do this at the official weaning last fall but maybe they were. Stupid idiots would probably suck each other till spring if I let them. Will they get over this or will this be lifetime thing?

 

[Shortgrass]

Yeah, I've seen it. I pulled the pair & gave them the preferential treatment.

 

[Faster horses]

They'll just keep doing it, Big Swede; anyway they're sure not
apt to stop. Isn't it disgusting to watch? We had cows do that too and
we had to get rid of them. Maybe you'll have better luck than
we did.

I'd like to know what causes that.
They can be really persistent about it too.

 

[PATB]

The easy way to stop the cows from sucking each other is a bull ring in their nose. There is always the final solution tasty milk fed beef . I have a two year old that will not stop sucking and lost her calf so she will taste good I bet in about 3 to 4 weeks.