10 Qt. Calf ?

[Stocker Steve]

My wife is bottle feeding a calf who looked thin at 1 week, so I told her to give him a little more each day. When I checked back he was up to 5 qts x 2 = 10 per day. :nod: He is doing great. Why are the recommendations so much lower?

 

[Nesikep]

Probably partly because of the expense and labor of feeding 5x a day.. They will drink lots if it's there.. I know my calves on my heavy milking cows probably drink 4 gallons of milk a day by 6 weeks of age

 

[Workinonit Farm]

Partly expense, as Nesi stated, and partly because many have started them on "starter" feed.

I always fed 3X a day, as it is closer to how they would do on their momma. And I always fed a bit more than the bag recommendations, as I found they "did" better.

 

[TexasBred]

My wife is bottle feeding a calf who looked thin at 1 week, so I told her to give him a little more each day. When I checked back he was up to 5 qts x 2 = 10 per day. :nod: He is doing great. Why are the recommendations so much lower?

Because they always did very well on two quarts twice a day, but I fed fresh milk right out of the cow. Never saw a need for any more. Calf starter and fresh water was placed in front of them from day one and replaced daily along with fresh cleaned containers.

 

[farmerjan]

Many dairies are now going to feeding a 3 qt bottle a feeding 2 x a day, rather than just the 2 qt bottle. 5 qt a feeding 2x a day is more than I would normally feed. If feeding a little less they are more likely to get to wanting to eat feed than if the milk is supplying all their needs. Plus the expense if buying milk replacer. I am all for feeding 3 qt 2x a day, or at least 2 qt 3x a day.

 

[ez14.]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned scours! If it's working for you that's great BUT for some calves over feeding is a problem

 

[Nesikep]

feeding too much PER FEEDING is more dangerous than feeding small feedings more frequently... I usually see my calves nurse every 3 hours or so (maybe less at night?) so about 6x per day.. I don't see any of them being happy with 3 meals a day.. sure, they'll live fine, but it's not nearly as often as "natural".. I do realize it's too much darned work to do though

 

[Son of Butch]

My wife is bottle feeding a calf who looked thin... so I told her to give him a little more each day.
When I checked back he was up to 5 qts x 2 = 10 per day. :nod:

Maybe you should have checked back with your wife 6 months sooner!

 

[ez14.]

My wife is bottle feeding a calf who looked thin... so I told her to give him a little more each day.
When I checked back he was up to 5 qts x 2 = 10 per day. :nod:

Maybe you should have checked back with your wife 6 months sooner!

:nod:

:lol:

 

[Stocker Steve]

She burned through a bag of replacer in no time...

Got the big boy grafted onto a penned up cow now. Still giving him one 2 qt. bottle a day for old times sake.

How soon after they start nursing on the graft cow is it safe to put the pair back in the herd?

 

[farmerjan]

When she lets him nurse anytime he goes to her and she is talking to him a little then she has "taken" him. I like to keep them together for 2-3 days after the cow seems to have accepted the calf to make sure....but have turned them out in as little as 24 hours if she is mothering it.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

When she lets him nurse anytime he goes to her and she is talking to him a little then she has "taken" him. I like to keep them together for 2-3 days after the cow seems to have accepted the calf to make sure....but have turned them out in as little as 24 hours if she is mothering it.

:nod: :nod:
I've kept them up, 3 to 4 days, just to be sure, then turned them out.