Calf eating manure

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jagerbeef

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Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
87
Have a three week old calf that at a week old put outside in pasture and started to eat manure.  Pulled her back in barn the next day she was scouring brown manure just like the stuff she ate.  tubed her with electrolytes and got her back going and then stuck her back out a week later and she did the same thing.
What is wrong with this calf and is there anything I can do to make her stop?
 

RyanChandler

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Joined
Jul 6, 2011
Messages
3,457
Location
Pottsboro, TX
Leave her in the pasture with her dam is the best thing you can do.  It may seem taboo to you but its not going to hurt her.. There is no way she is consuming much if any at all.
 

frostback

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Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
2,068
Location
Colorado
Might look into giving them a C and D shot, cheap protection. I have noticed mine licking dirt a lot this year. They get Alpha 7 as close to birth as I can give it, then boost at a month old with vision 7. Cowboy on here let me know about his regimen, thanks Terry.  Have had very few problems with it since I started doing this last year.
 

jagerbeef

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Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
87
we give all calves alpha 7 at birth.  she will eat until she gets sick and then will lay flat out for a day without getting up and that is the only reason I tubed her.  I tubed her for two days before she got up and nursed on her own and then she will be good for a while and then she will start eating manure again and then we start the process of tube feeding her again.
 

Limiman12

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Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
469
Location
SW. Iowa
Worming her may become a priority.....  What is the COWS protein and mineral supplementation.  Is the cow a first calf heifer, did her other calves show it.    The calf is not getting something in the cows milk that is making it do this.  Metabolism of the cow or of the cal, but I suspect the cows metabolism or nutrient level is off.  Will the calf eat a supplement like suggested in the calf shelter?    Other animals eat cow poop all the time,  It is partially digested grass or whatever.....  As long as it is not trying to lick your face afterwards she is better then my dogs!
 

jagerbeef

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
87
cow is a 7 year old and is on third cutting grass, and has a kent rumen booster tub.  We wormed with cydectin in the fall and two days ago wormed with rumatel crumbles. None of her other calves have done this and I have never had any calf do this.  I wouldn't think much of it but she eats until she gets sick and then just lays there really week for a day or two
 

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