O/T: Heifer with the squirts

ChrisinMO · Apr 29, 2009

We've got a heifer that we're milking that just freshened a couple of weeks ago. She is out on grass with our young-ish steers. She gets grain at milking time when she is in the mood for it. Well, the grass is long and tall but very tender. Her manure is very runny and she is beginning to look unhappy. Haven't noticed a decrease in her milk production. When I first noticed this in her, I rotated her back up toward the barn and then fed her hay until it firmed up. Put her out and it started up all over again.

Is there anything I can do about this? How serious a problem is this? Will it cure itself as the season gets along?

Thanks for the help.

Christopher

Bill(Wis) · Apr 29, 2009

We have an old saying up this way: "Like cowshit in the springtime." (;>)) I can see it all now.

shawnspeed3 · Apr 29, 2009

My cows loosen up when going out to pasture in the spring and their manuer stays loose all summer. The dairy farm I help at , the cows have loose manure year round, it just about slips thru the grates on the gutters in the parlor without water...I would keep an eye on her and make sure she doesen't get dehydrated, and her milk doesen"t drop off suddenly, if anything she should pick up on fresh grass...also make sure she isn't bloating a little,with the grain & fresh grass it may be a little to much proteen.. you may wan't to feed her some dry hay in the morning before turning her out, that may help..good luck Im sure you will get some other good advice, Shawn

RodinNS · Apr 29, 2009

Feed some hay before she goes out on grass, morning and evening. Whatever she'll eat free choice. Beyond that, don't face the eye of the storm when you see the tail rising...
I wouldn't worry about it much.
We've had the barn full of them like that when they're on italian ryegrass. If somebody coughs... they WILL hit someone on the other side of the barn.

Rod

Don-Wi · Apr 30, 2009

If ya have any oats that helps some, but even that isn't a cure. Just the nature of the beast.

Donovan from Wisconsin

BobHnwOh · Apr 30, 2009

Put a couple tablespoons apple cider vinegar on her feed.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 30, 2009

Old farmer friend said he used to throw some salt down on their hay when they got too loose and it seemed to help. joe-

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 30, 2009

Sounds normal to me

Too Far Gone · Apr 30, 2009

We used to milk here in Mo(4 stall sawtooth herringbone)with the splash shields and this time of year it could be a real crap O rama some nights,seems like nights could be worse after a long day of grazing

ChrisinMO · Apr 30, 2009

Just wanted to ask for your experience. We've raised calves to sell and while they got loose, they did fine. Believe it or not, we've never dealt with an adult cow and so I just wanted to check and see if there might be a problem.

Thanks for all the comments.

Christopher

O/T: Heifer with the squirts

ChrisinMO

Member

Bill(Wis)

Well-known Member

shawnspeed3

Member

RodinNS

Well-known Member

Don-Wi

Well-known Member

BobHnwOh

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Nebraska Cowman

Well-known Member

Too Far Gone

Member

ChrisinMO

Member

Similar threads