Orphan calf

[nmcattle]

I have a calf I'm trying to get nursing on a different cow. The calf tries to nurse well but the cow isn't accepting it. If I tie her up and am standing in the pen with her she'll let the calf nurse. If I untie her or even leave the pen she kicks and bunts the calf away. I've been fighting her for a week now and she doesn't seem to get any  better. Any tricks or suggestions? Thanks.

 

[willow]

We have always used o-no-more (orphan no more) it is in a small bottle and you can usually find it at your local feed store.  Slightly wet the top line of the calf and sprinkle the o-no-more on the calf.  It should trigger the instinct for the mother to lick the calf.  We always put the mother and calf in a small pen and we hobble the mother(it slows her down a tad and keeps her from kicking the orphan).  Best of luck. 

 

[firesweepranch]

we sprinkled grain over the calf's back several times a day, made the cow lick the calf to try to get the grain. It worked like a dream....

 

[nmcattle]

Sounds like good ideas. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Jenny]

just keep at it; it is discouraging but we have never had one that doesn't eventually accept the calf as her own; once it took even 3 weeks....usually after a week the cow is getting a little better at least but just be patient.