When to Wean and How to do it

cjc

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Hello Everyone,

2 of my girls that are expecting to calf have calves that they are still nursing. I name my cows so I will list out the details:

Big Mama, she has a 10 month old calf and is due to calf approx. April 8th
Deana, she has a 6 month old calf and is due to calf approx. July 14th

It is my understanding that I will need to wean these calves before their new calf is born. It would ideally be better for me if I separated the two calves from the mothers at the same time, but there is quiet an age difference in the calves. Both of the calves are grazing, eating hay and grain but they are still nursing multiple times a day.

Based on the dates how soon do I need to wean them? I have two pastures that sit side by side so I was planning on just moving these two calves over to another field. If I cannot wean the 6 month old calf yet I will move the calf that is being weaned with a few yearling steers I have to keep it company.

Any advice on this would be much appreciated. It is my first time expecting a calf when my cow already has one. I am not sure how they will react. Our herd is very attached to each other.

Thank you!
 

Goatgirl47

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You need to wean Big Mama's calf now. The latest you should dry off a cow is two months before their due date, so that they can start making colostrum for the unborn calf. Deana's calf shouldn't be weaned just yet, I would wean her/him early May. We usually wean our calves (beef or dairy) when they are a year old, but most people do when they are 6-8 months old.

It would be good to put them in the pasture right next to their Momma's pasture - so that they can see each other - and that way the weaning won't be so stressful. Just make sure they can't nurse. :)

ETA, you can wean both calves at the same time, right now, if that is easier for you. Deana's calf will be fine, and it wouldn't hurt to dry her off a little early.
 
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cjc

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Thank you @Goatgirl47! I will move Big Mamas calf this weekend with a few of my other steers. I think I will leave Deanas calf with her for now, id rather give them as much time as possible. I will put the calf in the pasture beside his mama so they can see each other. Thanks for your advice...wish me luck!
 

Goatgirl47

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Your welcome! I hope every thing goes well, and good luck! Be sure to show us pictures of the new calves...;)
 

Goatgirl47

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What breeds are they? We are also waiting on calves (if every goes as planned, we will have a calf in May, June, July, and August, and in two months I'll be able to breed my 13-month old heifer). :)
 

Goatgirl47

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A Shorthorn.....:love

We have mostly crosses. :D The milk cows are Sasha (Normande/Jersey), Ruby (Normande/Jersey), Candy (Brown Swiss/Simmental), and Violet (Dutch Belted). The calves are Piper (13-month old Brown Swiss/Jersey heifer), Frankie (12-month old Dutch Belted), Georgia (11-month old Normande/Jersey heifer) and Linus (9-month old Jersey/Brown Swiss/Simmental). We name our cows too.
 

cjc

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Awesome name choices, I love it! I absolutely love Jersey cows, they have the sweetest faces. I have yet to own a dairy cow but I would love to. I have 8 total right now.

Big Mama (4 years old) - Hereford, her calf who we just call Baby (10 month steer).
Deana (5 years old), Short Horn and her calf Prince (6 month steer).
Little Red (1.5 years), Red Angus - heifer expecting her first calf.
Vicky, Black Angus (2.5 years old) expecting her second calf and sadly lost her first last season to a navel infection
Billy, Hereford Yearling Steer
Then we have our Bull who has no name. We "borrowed" him from a friend who has now left him with us. He is a pure bred short horn bull who is about 2 years old. Very gentle and very handsome.

This was our first year with Short Horns and wow are they impressive! Our Short Horn Calf has outgrown our Hereford calf who is 4 months older than he is.

Thanks for sharing!
 

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