Had a first calf heifer calve yesterday afternoon. Mom went to cleaning calf and is very protective of her however when calf try's to nurse mom knocks her down or will kick at her. this went on for about 30 mins last night before calf was able to nurse. This morning mom is doing the samething. we have never had this before so any opinions would be great thanks Curtis
first calf heifer ? UPDATED
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leanin' H
Well-known member
Heifers are such fun. 
The tough part is knowing when to put here in a chute or a halter on and let the calf suck or just let the cow het used to her calf. If ya wait too long the calf gets behind and weak. But sometimes the cow just needs a little time ti figure out motherhood. There are others with a lot more experience than me, but i lean toward the cautious side and let the calf get a belly full even if the heifer has to go in the chute. Then the calf gets more agressive and hopefully the cow straightens up.
The tough part is knowing when to put here in a chute or a halter on and let the calf suck or just let the cow het used to her calf. If ya wait too long the calf gets behind and weak. But sometimes the cow just needs a little time ti figure out motherhood. There are others with a lot more experience than me, but i lean toward the cautious side and let the calf get a belly full even if the heifer has to go in the chute. Then the calf gets more agressive and hopefully the cow straightens up.sandtrap
Well-known member
Whats ace?
North Ridge Ranching
Well-known member
Had the same thing 2 years ago. If the calf moved, she would try to kill it. We penned them separate. I would put the calf with her only when I was in the pen with my persuader. :wink: Then we would proceed with our training. When the calf would get to nursing and stand right beside her it was fine, the minute they separated a bit, she would attack again. It took about 4-5 days of this procedure with my persuader and then she was good. We couldn't leave the calf with her if we weren't there.
We only made one mistake, and that was that we kept her! :???: We thought that maybe it was because she was a heifer. Same damn thing next year. I think she is residing somewhere around the Golden Arches now.
If I can lend any advice to this thread, cull prices are good, once she is done raising this calf, SELL HER!!! It isn't worth the risk or time to be dealing with cows like this.
We only made one mistake, and that was that we kept her! :???: We thought that maybe it was because she was a heifer. Same damn thing next year.
I think she is residing somewhere around the Golden Arches now. If I can lend any advice to this thread, cull prices are good, once she is done raising this calf, SELL HER!!! It isn't worth the risk or time to be dealing with cows like this.
North Ridge Ranching
Well-known member
sandtrap said:
Ace is a sedative of sorts. Just spray a little up her nose. It will calm her down and might get her over her hormonal rage.
Wyoming Wind
Well-known member
Aweful to watch, huh? We have had 2 in the past couple of years do this same thing, poor calf just wants to eat and the cow just wants the poor little thing to STAY STILL!!! DON"T MOOOOVEE! (that's what I think they are sayingandrews29 said:
) A word of caution---both of ours bred back and guess what they did the following year. The same thing. They went down the road and their calves got grafted on some lonely nice cows! Good luck!Bruce
Well-known member
:lol: Several year's ago our older neigbour "trained" one up, after about a week or 10 day's he had to go on a trip so he hauled the pair to the mart. When the ring man waved his whip at her she planted all 4 feet and the calf dived in for lunch. He chuckled all the way home that no one could complain about her cause " they seen the calf suck right in the ring!"North Ridge Ranching said:
:lol: :lol:
North Ridge Ranching
Well-known member
Bruce said:
That is to funny. I don't like doing it, but talking to her didn't seem to help.
North Ridge Ranching
Well-known member
Thats good. One less issue at calving is always a good thing. You never even had to "Train Her". Hope the rest of calving goes good for you.
leanin' H
Well-known member
Sometimes it just takes a heifer a little bit to get squared away. It's all brand new and pretty tramatic. If i had to give birth the H line would go extinct! :shock: Glad she's claiming and loving the new kid.
We had one on friday that the calf went missing until sunday evening I gave up on it coming back as where it was last seen is where a bear got one last year I spent hours searching the neighboring woods for it in the end it's back and momma's happy.