Twin calf abadon

Jesusfreak101

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We have a cow who had twins who left on calf completely and hasn't returned for it. Now we have calf in a stall and needing her to take a bottle any tricks? And what can I feed her I have a small bag of colostrum that i am trying to get her to take but once thats gone i won't make feed store till tomorrow but i do have cow milk from store in fridge is that ok? We have goats but not getting enough milk for her the kids and the human kids as well.
 

frustratedearthmother

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Sure wish Farmer Jan was here to help you! I've only bottle fed one calf and that was about a zillion years ago. To get that calf started I straddled the calf and held his head up with one hand and got the bottle in his mouth with the other hand. Once he figured out what it was - he had no problem starting sucking.

The calf really needs that colostrum! I did a quick Google search and read that you can use the milk from the grocery store. I'm sorry I don't know more! but, hopefully you can get the little critter going. Good luck!
 

Jesusfreak101

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So far she won't take it she doesn't even stand when i go into the stall... She about sixty pound i guessing. She seems health other wise i thinking she about a day or two old. She was able to run from us when we caught her so i know she can get up just not sure why she isn't. She even let's me rub all over her and put the bottle in and I spray some in her mouth bit so far no takers.
 

frustratedearthmother

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Oh no - that doesn't sound good. Mine loved their warm bottle... Is it normal colostrum or replacer? Maybe it doesn't taste good? :idunno
 

Jesusfreak101

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I can see if she takes warm cow milk instead of the replaced from what she looks like i would guess a day sold at least most likely born Friday evening or Saturday. We saw them nursing from half a foot ball field or mo re away so wasn't sure if she nursed allow with sibling or not before she got left.
 

frustratedearthmother

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Hopefully she got colostrum from mom and she'll do well after she starts talking the bottle. :fl
 

YourRabbitGirl

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We have a cow who had twins who left on calf completely and hasn't returned for it. Now we have calf in a stall and needing her to take a bottle any tricks? And what can I feed her I have a small bag of colostrum that i am trying to get her to take but once thats gone i won't make feed store till tomorrow but i do have cow milk from store in fridge is that ok? We have goats but not getting enough milk for her the kids and the human kids as well.
for now. milk still is the right food for them. for me any kind of milk will be great.. you still have options if you have other resources though..
 

promiseacres

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FYI as a twin she may be a free Martin which means she won't be a good breeding prospect/milking prospect. Free Martins generally aren't breedable, something to do with in utero development of a female in with a bull. That's why cattle people don't want twins.

Was the other calf a bull?

Persistence to bottle feed an wild calf. Also you might try a bucket instead of a bottle.
 

Duckfarmerpa1

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I read last night that you could dip the nipple in karo syrup. My goat loves that stuff!! Some got on my pants and the kid was sucking on my pants like crazy! It also said to tickle the roof of the calf’s mouth to get the sucking reflex going, then slip the nipple in, like I said I am doing with my kids. Perhaps you have a farmer friend who has some spare colostrum replacer on hand? My farmer friend offered his up right away the other day, but that wasn’t my issue. Good luck...I know how hard and frustrating it can be to get these new guys to have full tummies!!
 
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