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Eastern NE KS | 1st calf heifer delivered a nice bull calf just 1.5 hours after eating with her group. She showed early stage calving signs when I fed the group of 44 females. After finishing a few chores I circled around to check on her status. I find a live newborn and mom still laying. I grab a leg to drag the calf to mom's nose . She stands and goes to her calf. I hop on the ATV to leave thinking all is fine.
Returning 3 hours later finding the calf with the whole group trying to nurse anyone that will stand still. Mom no where around. Take the calf to the barn and return for Mom. She had little interest in following her baby. So the challenge begins.
Calf was strong, walking around without any idea of who or what will help his aching hunger. All mom wants to do is kick at anything touching her udder. To the chute we go.
Calf will aggressively suck a finger so I want him to nurse mom. A little help and his doing just that. However, he is nursing from behind because along side mom kicks. I add a flank rope to distract her and it works. She stopped kicking.
We repeat this routine 5 hours later, again next morning and evening; flank rope each time. However, the next nursing she allowed the calf to nurse without the flank rope while in the chute.
I test the pair before each trip to the chute. I try to distract her with feed but no success so far. My dog Lexi wanders by the pair's pen and Mom isn't happy to see Lexi.
I have a good pair but they are not pasture ready. Any ideas on speeding this along?
Edited by Doug61 2/24/2026 22:46
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Heifer's thinking what?
