Out Around the Barn

On our farm, the time for weaning the baby calves is just around the corner.  Actually, today to be exact.  It is not ever an easy job to separate the little ones from their mamas but, it has to be done.  This is my bull calf, Snowman, from last years herd. Here he is 4 weeks old.

Most of our calves are 90 days old now and are eating grain and grass well.  When they are able to do this and can fend for themselves it is the right time.  We do this by watching the signs and have found that the best time to accomplish this is when the sign is in the thighs or knees, it must be below the heart.  Not everyone watches the signs of the moon but we do and that is just our preference.  In our opinion there are fewer complications when it is done in the right sign.  If done too early, some of the problems you may encounter are:

• some calves do not adapt to the change from milk to grass and feed
• they do not eat well, therefore, they lose weight and do not develop and grow as well as they should
• they become stressed from the changes without mama and can become ill

A couple of reasons we like to wean early when the calves are around 90 days old is because it is the time of year when the weather is turning hot and the pastures begin to dry up.  It takes the stress off the cows if they don’t have to produce milk for their calves and their bodies can begin to prepare for the next calving season.  Also, we don’t have to feed as much grain and unless the pastures completely dry up, hay is not necessary until Fall.  It also helps, in the re-breeding of the two year old heifers and cows because the stress on their bodies is not there. 

 When done at the right time, there is less stress on the mamas and calves and also the time of mourning their loss only lasts about 3 days.  It can get quite noisy around here for a few days. 

 This time I am weaning three of my bottle calves with the others and am curious to see how they will all interact with each other.  Sally, Brutus and Barney were not happy with me this morning when they didn’t get their bottle.  I have been decreasing their intake for the past week and today is the day that they are on straight feed and grass.  They have been eating pretty well and I hope that continues.

When separating, it is always good to have your cattle sorting paddle or sorting stick handy.  The sorting paddle is a huge help when trying to block the calf from the cow.  The paddle draws the calves attention away so the cow can go where you need her to go and the calf stays behind.  It can keep the calves attention and you can guide them to their new destination.  The sorting paddle is also useful in that it can give you the distance you need between you and the cow and you are still able to guide her as well. 

The paddle is good to accomplish both jobs here, although some prefer the sorting stick.  The paddle is newer to the market and a safe way to handle your livestock.  They are available with or without BBs for a sound effect.