Wow, that's pretty interesting. I was hoping you or Petra would respond. :) I was kind of curious what cows did since we also milk them for our own uses.
Eileen
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06-10-2006 #11
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RE: Somewhat OT (and totally random): when do other animals wean?
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06-10-2006 #12
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RE: Somewhat OT (and totally random): when do other animals wean?
Just FYI - the cows that I was describing were beef cows. The calves of dairy cows are usually removed from their mothers once their colostrum is gone - isn't that a little sad? The calves are then fed "milk replacer" (the bovine version of formula) from a bottle, then from a bucket when they get older. That was one of my jobs as a kid.
Jennifer
Mommy to Annabelle 9/08/03 & Finn 10/31/05
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06-10-2006 #13
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RE: Somewhat OT (and totally random): when do other animals wean?
That does sound a little sad. It seems that if dairy calves had their mama's milk, they'd be a healthier bunch. So out of curiosity, do farmers ever raise both dairy and beef cows at the same time? And if so, would they ever "orphan" the dairy calves to the beef cows?
Eileen
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06-11-2006 #14
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RE: Somewhat OT (and totally random): when do other animals wean?
I've never heard of letting dairy calves nurse from beef cows, but it is a good idea! Diarrhea and subsequent dehydration is a common problem (and is sometimes even fatal) for calves, and this could probably be greatly reduced if they had some mama's milk.
My father still operates a dairy, but it is organic and I think he'd have a hard time finding organic beef cows to act as donors. When he switched to organic farming, he got rid of his beef cows because organic feed is quite expensive in his area.
Jennifer
Mommy to Annabelle 9/08/03 & Finn 10/31/05
"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane." - Jimmy Buffett
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06-11-2006 #15
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RE: Somewhat OT (and totally random): when do other animals wean?
I didn't realize that diarrhea and dehydration is a common problem for calves not getting their mama's milk! Maybe your dad could "save" some of the milk that he produces for the bottles of these calves that are ailing?
Eileen
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