The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: trish.farm on March 31, 2016, 10:37:43 am
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Probably more a message for SinN!! Last time Daisy calved I added on one calf so she reared 2 and I weaned at 7 months. Tempted to put 2 extras on her this time as she had more than enough milk last time. However she has one dead quarter from mastitis last time so only has 3 quarters. Will this be enough for 3 calves? don't want to over do it but also don't want her producing too much milk for 2 calves.
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Hiya. I've no personal experience here, but the farm where I helped with their Guernseys used to say that the cows produced the same amount of milk overall, just from the three good quarters. However, even if that weren't true, a Jersey who's a good milker will have plenty for three - and she'll make sure her own calf gets plenty. Do you run them all together all the time, or let the calves on for feeding?
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They run together all the time once she has accepted her adopted child! That is my one concern, they go off down the meadows for the summer so I cant easily supplement feed Daisy if necessary as the other cows will fight for her food. If she struggled with 3 I would have a bit of a problem. Think I have talked myself into only putting one extra on!
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I agree, in those circs, one extra is probably best.