[Templelands]

Thanks both. I hope no one needs to do this. So here is Mason feeding from new mum!

[SallyintNorth]

That is so good to see

[Factotum]

Very well done - it took us over a week to do that once, so you've done brilliantly. As you say, very traumatic for all concerned.


Love the 'coat' - I seem to remember we left our one on for at least 2-3 weeks - it was a bit wiffy by then end.

In our case we got a Lim Cross - we got him early enough so we could ring him, and we got him de-budded - his dam was an Ayrshire and they have long horns. Our Lim cross didn't get bullied by the rest of our herd, despite him being the only one without horns, he didn't seem to be at a disadvantage. Once he grew on a bit he was very much taller than the rest of the beasts (all Shetlands) but he didn't get as well muscled as our Shetland steer.

Hope everything continues to progress well

Sue

[ginny]

Just joined this forum and thought I would share my own calf fostering experiences, although they are not needed now as you have been successful!

Start with putting the cow in your crush. If necessary, tie her back leg to stop her kicking. (Remember that the cow may be feeling uncomfortable with a full bag of milk if it has taken a few days to find a surrogate for her) Place the calf with its rear facing the cows head and lean on it so that it is held against the side of the crush - having your leg at the back of the calf stops if from backing away from the teat. Put your thumb in the side of the calf's mouth and bring the head down to the teat, guiding the teat with your other hand into the calf's mouth. It helps to have stripped a little milk first to moisten the teat. With a tall calf you will need to keep the back of its head pushed down - they can be a little stubborn at first!

Let the calf suckle a quarter so that the cow settles then strip some milk onto the calf's head and immediately 'walk' it to the front of the crush and let the cow smell and lick the calf's head. Take 'round the other side and let it suckle the other quarters and squirt milk onto its head again and take back to the front of the crush for the cow to lick.

When the calf is full put it back in its pen next to the cow, preferably where they can see and smell each other. Repeat the above for as many feeds as it takes for the cow to take to the foster calf - she will start to 'talk' to it and the bond will continue to establish.