Weaning - Cold Turkey or Gradual?

[savaged]

I seem to have this little self debate each spring about weaning.  Should I wean the show calves cold turkey or let them nurse daily for a week or two.  Which way gets them on feed quicker, is less stressful, best for the cows, etc?

Advice appreciated.

FYI, this year I am weaning a couple of calves that are 10 week old.  They tag-in a week from Saturday.

 

[cowcrazy]

Do you have a creep pen set up so the calves are able to eat now?  I would advise you to let them start eating feed, but still allow them to nurse. Once they are eating creep feed pretty well, you can wean them and they will not be set back so much.

 

[Davis Shorthorns]

we used to just go cold turkey, but last year we put out the creep feed and let them get real used to that then after a while we just put them on the other side of the corral fence and they never skipped a beat.  The mommas were bawling more than the calves were. 

 

[ratmama2]

We wean gradually. They are already in the creep by about 3 weeks old. When we wean they get to nurse once a day for about 3 days then every other day for a bout 3 days or so then every 2 days and usually the cows quit coming around by then. We gradually wean mainly for the cows comfort. I hate to see big engorged udders. We have also taken them to shows for about 3 days and then brought them home and put them right back in with their mothers with no problems. So if you are just going to
tag-in why wean so early? Just a few hours away from momma, right?

 

[GoWyo]

I tried the over the fence weaning program and it seemed like it prolonged their agony and mine having to listen to them all night for 5 days instead of 3.  The cows are the worst for noise from the bawling.  So, now I lock the calves in the pen and move the cows to other pastures far away from the house.  Thinking about trying the creep feeder idea because it would definitely smooth the transition.  Some folks I know use the day weaning method of locking the calves off during the day for a week or two and working with them and letting them back in with their dams at night.  Makes for real gentle show cattle.

 

[herefordfootball]

Put a creep feeder in with cows so calves can nurse and eat creep at the same time. Let them get use to the creep feed for a few weeks at least and when you wean you shouldnt have any problems. Good Luck!!!

 

[FutureBreeder2013]

would a no suckle nose clip work in this situation?

 

[farmboy]

just do it cold turkey. they'll be alright.