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Does anyone have any suggestions to stop this??? She has never had a calf so he is using her as a pacifier. He was weaned when we got him, but you know how men are... I can't move him to another pasture for many reasons, so before he ruins her utter he is going to have to kick the habit. We are breeding her this month and I don't think she will ever kick him off even when she starts milking???
There's a nose thingy for the calf that will poke him when he starts to nurse... it clamps onto the middle septum and hangs down over his soft muzzle. He'll still be able to graze, because it'll move out of the way for that, but when he pushes up against the udder, it's got pokeys that'll make it very unfun for him and it just flat gets in the way. Check at your local livestock supply/feedstore. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll look further. I don't know it's official name...
You could also smear something nasty tasting on the jennet's udder... tiger balm, maybe? But it might not be enough to discourage a real momma's boy... LOL
They also make a halter with little spikes on the front of the noseband. When the donkey approached the cow's udder he would prick her with the little spikes and she would at least learn to avoid him.
I'm not sure I'd do that to a donkey... besides, it's not her fault she's motherly. LOL But she might not let her own foal nurse if she associates it with getting jabbed. Donkeys can get a pretty firm "conviction" about things like that.
Ooops, my bad. Your suggestion would work better then.
{Can you tell I have trouble reading instructions too? LOL}
I had a 2 YO gelding donkey that went back to nursing when his mom had a new baby... he was quite put out that the new boy was supposed to get first shot at the milk bar. We had to separate him and everytime the new baby would nurse, the older boy would just about die from jealousy. Ever heard a donkey whimper? LOL
Thanks for the suggestions...Maybe I wasn't clear... my DONKEY is nursing(sort off since she is dry) my COW. I'm gonne try some of the suggestions and I'll get back. Thanks so much!!!!
