drying off pregnant cow

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I have a pregnant holstein cross cow whom the vet said is due to calve in May or early june. We really don't know when she was bred as she was running with a bull before we bought her. I guess she was bred anytime before september 21 when we got her. I was/am planning on drying her off in a week or so, but today she is looking kinda weird she isn't chewing her cud, she did eat, and she is licking another calf that she is in with. I mean furious licking like she is preparing for her own. If she is going to calve sooner than we thought how much is it going to hurt her or the baby if she isn't dried up for six weeks prior? Thanks for any advice in advance! cara lewis

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), April 06, 2001

Answers

It isn't going to hurt anything as long as you have another source of colostrum. The dry period is not only for the calf to grow without all the extra calories/nutrients the cow has going to milk, but is also the time for the cow to build up her colostrum for the calf. Colostrum replacers are a very poor substitute, there are none that carry any ability to provide immunity, though they are fine for their laxative effect on cleaning the gut. The ID-1 that Goatworld.com has is actually derived from cattle colostrum, it is also made to give calves anitbody boosting, though folks do use this type of thing for lots of other things. There is no proof that consuming colostrum based anything has any effect after the first 12 hours of birth. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 06, 2001.

We have had one calve while still milking her. It was a mistake on my part not hers. The only thing I noticed was less milk that lactation.We always try to milk some from the cows within 24 hrs and save it in the freezer for emergencies. Loses something after about 3 months but its better than nothing. Dry her up as soon as possible.Good luck! Our calf was fine.

-- jd-tx (inkina@cctc.net), April 06, 2001.

Is she showing any signs of impending birth? bagging up, mucas, swelling at rear? If no signs, there might be something else. Your cow must chew her cud or you have another problem, this is a must. As to the drying off, It is always best to have done this but if she is in real good order things will work out. as for the licking, does she need salt? How about mineral supliments? cow's do lick each other, I think it's a herd thing.Lexi

-- lexi Green (whitestone11@hotmail.com), April 06, 2001.

Thanks for the replies! Today she seems better she is chewing her cud and eating I think that I am being over attentive lately and I just noticed it from watching her so closely. I am going to dry her off this week but first I have to wean the new calf who has been drinking her milk (and stealing my milk for cheese) I bought this calf three weeks ago and she is about 7 weeks old, she is drinking water eating grain and hay, she is getting 2 quart of milk mixed with 2 quarts of water twice a day . Is she old enough to wean or should I dry my cow and purchase milk replacer? I know to wean her I should gradually replace milk with with water but how gradually should this be done? Also how do you dry a cow off who is so used to a routine and I am afraid she will come through the fence if she is not fed her grain and milked at the right time, (do you give her any grain at the time of drying up?) This is all new to me , I did it with goats and dealt with them getting out but this is a thousand pound difference and I don't need a cow looking in my window, opening doors and getting into mischief like my goat did. Thanks again!! cara

-- cara lewis (cnllewis@email.com), April 07, 2001.

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