Cows, like many other mammals, have a complex social structure and behavior. While it may seem like a cow is “disowning” her baby, there are often underlying reasons for this behavior.

Reasons for Separation

1. Weaning: Cows naturally wean their calves after 6-10 months. During this process, the cow may start to distance herself from her calf.
2. Dominance Hierarchy: In a herd, cows establish a dominance hierarchy. A dominant cow may separate a weaker cow from her calf to assert dominance.
3. Stress or Fear: Cows can experience stress or fear due to various factors like loud noises, changes in environment, or handling. This stress can cause them to separate from their calves.
4. Health Issues: If a cow is experiencing health issues, such as mastitis or lameness, she may not be able to care for her calf properly, leading to separation.
5. Breed-Specific Traits: Some cattle breeds, like dairy breeds, are more prone to separating from their calves due to selective breeding for desirable traits.

What Happens to the Calf?

1. Adoption: In some cases, another cow in the herd may adopt the separated calf.
2. Human Intervention: Farmers or ranchers may intervene to care for the separated calf, providing nutrition and shelter.
3. Fostering: The calf may be fostered by another cow or a surrogate mother.

It’s essential to note that cows are social animals and typically form strong bonds with their calves. Separation can be stressful for both the cow and the calf.

Hena’s Blog For Paws © 2019 by Hena Osman is licensed under CC BY 4.0