Chicama Run Family Farm

The simple answer, we pull them immediately. We feed the baby from their mom's collostrum only until we run out. A lot of people would like us to sell the colostrum, but the baby cow needs it more than anyone else does.

So why do we pull the baby cow? Isn't this stressful? Again, it's a simple answer and I can say it's heartbreaking for all of us. HOWEVER, if we do it right away vs a week later, it's not as stressful for as long a time frame.

There are a few reasons for us doing this. First, yes we are a raw milk dairy farm and we do need the milk. If we were to allow the baby to nurse, they nurse on demand, and well, we milk 2x per day. So, in the end this can cause issues for the mother with mastitis as we wouldn't be milking her completely out, or she might have extra milk that sits causing her pain.

Another reason is if we are going to keep the baby or sell her to another farm. If she has been bottle fed, she is a lot easier to work with an handle than a cow that has never been touched! Lucy, our large holstein jersey cross, was a bottle baby. 3 years later she is STILL a big baby and we can do any work we need to on her without too much fuss. She has the personality of a spoiled dog - a really big one! I can send anyone out there to work on her without a doubt of knowing if the work can be done. The other cows? Not so much!

Cows are not trusting by nature. They are creatures of habit, believe me, they let us know if we are late! A change in routine bugs all of them, then they are antsy and don't want to do anything.

So now, we have a baby in the picture. Mom is used to coming in the barn at certain times. Baby is outside and this can now cause aa safety issue. We recognize that the bond is there and usually will bring the baby inside to be near mom while she is milked out! This makes both the mom and baby happy, and the baby will also bond to whoever is giving her a bottle, so it works out.

We don't do this to be cruel or mean or because of profit (we are a small farm, profit doesn't mean much - LOL)....it's mainly because of health and safety for all involved.

Until you are the one working with a 900-1000lb animal, it's really hard to make judgement calls on what's best for your farm and operation. Believe me when I say we would all like sunshine and rainbows and everyone happily skipping through the fields. Reality just doesn't come close. You learn patience, practice, and a lot of lessons in-between that are never easy. When you've had an 1100lb cow run at you (I've never figured out why they run AT you vs away!) because they have never been handled, or it jumps a fence right next to your face, you will understand the need for handling a calf as soon as possible and accept it as the one thing to do for your own sanity and safety.

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