My Twins

[harley_babes_hoard]

This morning one of my cows had twin babies. The white one was born first then at 6.30 the little brown one was born. Unfortunately mum has ditched the brown one. She did let it suckle for a short time so it would have got some colostrum thankfully but it is now going to be bottle fed my me.

Brown one just born in this pic

[harley_babes_hoard]

Yes, he will, but that doesn't mean it's ok to let him suffer and die of starvation does it?

[bushies.girl]

Stunning pic Harley 🙂 Hope both babies do well 🙂

[harley_babes_hoard]

Thanks Bushies.Girl, things are looking up. mum came back so I locked them all in a smaller paddock so she can't escape.

He is a persistent little fellow and has been chasing mum all around. He has been kicked and knocked down trying to get a drink but has now worked out that mum can't kick him if he stands behind her with his head through her back legs so he has been sneaking a drink this morning when the other little one feeds. I still have the bottle at the ready to step in but just going to see how this pans out for a while.

[thegoblinswillgetu]

There is something very rewarding about raising an orphan animal.

I have never raised a calf, but I have puppies and kittens on several occasions.

There is something about the little grunts when they drink from the bottle that makes a person want to smile.

It's a GOOD thing what you are doing.

[i-need-a-martini]

Awww! How cute!!

(Says me from the comfort of my city life and with no idea how much hard work goes into managing farm animals lol!)

[tasfleur]

"Also if you let him live in the house yard with the dogs he will think he is one"

Not only that, but once the calf starts barking, he might have to be renamed as "Bullydog"

[bushies.girl]

Awww he is one very smart baby Harley 🙂 and " grannie" is there to help him as well 🙂  Unlike sheep cows are usually great mums, does this happen often with twins? But then I guess that sheep twins are more common then cow. 

[channys_mum]

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@tasfleur wrote:

"Also if you let him live in the house yard with the dogs he will think he is one"

Not only that, but once the calf starts barking, he might have to be renamed as "Bullydog"

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It's not the barking that is the problem, it's when he runs to meet you with the dogs and jumps up for his pat. As a bigger baby with hooves, that is not a good thing.

[tasfleur]

He probably won't continue that  as he gets bigger Channys, he most likely will end up as a gorgeous and friendly pet bull, all calm and peaceful hopefully.    Hope he survives.    Is it common for a mother cow to reject a twin?

[harley_babes_hoard]

Hi everyone well he is going pretty good, I've just been watching him suckling from mum, He has it sussed now. He can suckle from the back 2 teats, she is happily grazing pulling him along he is not letting go of those teats.

This is the first time this cow or any of my cows actually have had twins so it's not real common and yes they do normally reject one, usually the smallest. I bought a bigger bottle today just in case but fingers crossed he will be getting enough milk from her. His persistence has paid off I think.

I have another cow springing so she won't be far away and then a few more due after that.