BIG dumb calves

Joe Boy had this question earlier in a different thread. We also come across those calves that are born dumb & dumber.  Usually a very big calf, sometimes with a even bigger head. Slow moving, hard to get up, can't figure out how to nurse, you know the type.
What causes these calves to be the jokes of the barn? Genes said she had a theory but I think it was based on breeds. Our are Maine Anjou or crosses.
My thoughts have always been that the calves are usually ones that have to be pulled. They have had a longer delivery than most & under go more stress. A lot of times their tongue is also slightly swollen. Is this reasonable? Also are there extra steps you need to take to make sure they grow up & lead productive lives?
Thanks,
Red & Joe Boy

We had a calf like that last year and big and dumb are the exact words to use, maybe add lazy to that too. He turned out to be one of our best bull calves.

schoenbi said:

We had a calf like that last year and big and dumb are the exact words to use, maybe add lazy to that too. He turned out to be one of our best bull calves.

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Yes, you described them to a T. I've only had one that continued to be "mentally challenged". Is that the  politically correct term to use? How big was you calf last year Schenbi & what breed was he?
Red

Those big dumb bull calves happen in every breed.  They are always a pain in the back!  (From what seems like hours of helping them nurse!)  They always seem to come around in a few days and do fine, just takes alot of patience.

We have had a few mentally "challenged" calves before.  One's momma didnt get the sac off his head until we found him....lack of oxygen...He had the nursing / grazing thing down, but never acted like a normal bovine.  He would just hang around waiting for mom to show up.  He wouldn't "drive", you had to push him physically into the corrals.  Grew up and went to the feedlot, go figure.

Yeah I am being a little unfair in the breed think perhaps because I think it likely is really more to do with birthweight.  It's just that we don't seem to have them with the angus, ever.  Not to say that we don't have to help the odd calf nurse...but they are not slooooow like the "big dumb" ones.  The ones we get are always out of cows bought bred, and have mostly been Simmi, and I know Dad said "This is one thing I certainly don't miss about the Charolais".  But these were very big calves, and even if we didn't have to pull them, it makes sense that their delivery would be a little more trying.  It woud also fit with them only being bad for a couple of days.

Ladies they are usually males, too.  So it might be a gender thing.  Most males are larger than the females.  My last one was not too big, but his mother was really heavy.  I think that might have had something to do with it.  He was sick yesterday and has walked to the back of the catch pen today.  So don't your daughters go out with the big dumb slow ones.....aha.... (lol)

Y'uns got it figured right, it's the ones with larger birth weights or out of low-pelvic area dams, that have been on the recieving end of a little dystocia and are born oxygen starved. Once thaey get over the hump, they are usually fine and level out. Some, however, are more prone to scours and pneumonia. Like begets like. Remember this, if it's a bull calf, always keep the knife sharp.

Big dumb bull calves - usually pulled, usually had a tough of anoxia (low oxygen) usually don't quite have it together - I have a big dumb bull calf protocol that I will psot tomorrow but the brain and body are weak now and I need sleep!

We have one of these lovely big dumb male calves.  Had to pull him last night, tubed him with colostrum and electrolytes, kept the heater on him for about 5 hours to warm him.  He apparently got up in the night and walked to the other side of the pen.  Won't stand to suck.  Going to town for more colostrum and electrolytes.  Any suggestions?

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Showcalves said:

We have one of these lovely big dumb male calves.  Had to pull him last night, tubed him with colostrum and electrolytes, kept the heater on him for about 5 hours to warm him.  He apparently got up in the night and walked to the other side of the pen.  Won't stand to suck.  Going to town for more colostrum and electrolytes.  Any suggestions?

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Sounds like you need to keep tubing him until he sucks or get fluid down him. Be careful that when you tube him it goes down the right pipe. Nothing worse then drowning one when you tube him :'(. Make sure someone holds him up if possible. Keep him warm. If cold you might want to put a blanket or heater w/ him.
Good luck
Red

Well, he can stand now at least.  I guess that's progress.  Still really weak but we tubed him again at noon today with another dose of Colostrum and electrolytes to get him going.  Will switch to milk replacer this evening and keep plenty going into him.  I'm just thankful momma's being so docile about it all.  (clapping)

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Great! Keep him warm & fluid in him.
Good luck!

Red

My bid dumb calf thought he was smart today and crawled under the electric fence.  I made him go back but he thought it was funny.  This time I was not in a position on foot to get him back before he got on a major highway.  So I gently got the pickup past him and we had a race for a moment..... I won..... but I think he did......in the long run......  The moral of the story is that they recover nicely most of the time.