cattle raising

[littlebluefarm]

yea I need to get in touch more with companies and stores so I can get more fresh greens like that for my animals...so what do u say to them?? like do u ask them to safe it for u to feed ur animals or say its for the garden?

 

[littlebluefarm]

my babies died!!!

...I cant believe it I tried and tried and I couldn't save them

 

[res]

Don't beat yourself up... Bucket calves can be a challenge, especially if they didn't receive any colostrum. You obviuosly cared about them and tried your best. I'm so sorry for the pain you are feeling, it does hurt to loose them when they are so young and adorable. You get attached really fast...

 

[littlebluefarm]

yes it does hurt I really tired and i believe they did received their colostrum from their mother cuz the guy i bought them from said they had their colostrum the day they were born and i got them the two days later...( but just cant figure out what was wrong before they died... the female just couldn't get up the next day and later she died and then a week and a half after the male was getting weak and had been pooping yellow poop and the poop was getting smeared all over his tail and butt...then suddenly he couldn't get up anymore too and then the next day he died...still cant figure out why...can any one help me??

 

[res]

Calf scours - check into coccidiosis, it could be the cause. Scours can take down a calf quickly, and can be difficult to treat. You might want to talk to your vet if you give bucket calves another try, there are some meds you can keep on hand to give as soon as symptoms start.

But really, don't feel bad. People who have raised bucket calves their entire human lives still loose some. They can truly be a challenge...

And sometimes, people that sell bucket calves can be kinda like used car salesmen. You have to take what they say with a grain of salt. It is hard to know if the calves really got colostrum... It makes me wonder about his honesty, especially if he sold you TRUE twins without educating you... When you originally posted "twins" I assumed you were just saying it as a description, much like I call my dogs "siblings" when they have no relation at all, it's just a pet phrase because they are members of my family. I assumed you were calling them "twins" because they were the same age and appearance and from the same farm, not because they truly were from the same cow.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Sorry for your loss, but you must understand that not every bottle calf will make it. Unfortunately things like this happen all the time. My advice, if you decide to get more bottle calves, is to buy at least 5 day old calves that move around very well and have a very strong suck-instinct. I would ALWAYS look to make sure that have had their umbilical cord stumps dipped in iodine (it should still be visible on a week old calf), that way you are saving yourself some heartbreak from buying a calf that more than likely has an infection and will die.

If you really want to raise some calves, just make sure you take a really good look before you purchase and don't let the seller push you into buying something you might feel iffy about. There are plenty of calves out there, so don't feel like you have to buy the first ones you see.

Also, a note about scours. It can be caused from the rumen not functioning properly too. The calves have to have their head in a raised position when bottle feeding or that can lead to scours. Try visiting the KeepingAFamilyCow forum or the HomesteadingToday forum, there is some information on raising bottle calves there too.

 

[littlebluefarm]

okay thanks a lot I will read more and when im ready to get new ones can I come back to you?

 

[bribre]

You can give them pepto bismol for scours.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

Of course, I would be happy to help in whatever way I can. You can PM me if you'd like too.

 

[littlebluefarm]

okay thanks PM?