Goodlife":lqpadf49 said:
Right up front this is a beginner question.
I was at the sale barn yesterday and saw a lot of 275-400# calves gong through. My question is regarding weaning. These calves seem too young to be weaned yet to old to be bottle fed. What care does a 300# calf need? Can they go straight on pasture?
btw, they were going for $1 to $1.25 per pound in Jackson, MO. A few good 4-5 weights we getting into $1.30+ per pound if they were weaned and had shots.
many a year ago i was young(and dumb) and started buying light weight cattle.
i'll tell you a thing or two i learned the hard way.
assume they have never had anything done to them and vaccinate right away
have your antibiotics on hand cause your going to need it.
start them on a medicated feed.
getting them to eating is #1 - green grass or wheat(depending on the time of year) and offer good grass hay.
again get them to eating even if you have to push them to the feed bunk 4-5 times a day.
of if they are laid up in the shade get them up and grazing.
same with water - you would assume they know how to drink out of a trough, but thats not always the case.
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure- chack them several times a day. stay out with them and watch them, listen to them breath, watch for snotty noses, droopy heads, droopy ears, pay real close attention.
this is just rules i use and it's hard to stick to. - don't buy bulls or bargains(both will cost you money)(don't like heifers either)
look for good framed cattle that are not fat, may be even thin.
look for ear tags - no guarantee but if they are castrated and ear tagged then there is a better chance they have good breeding, vaccinated and maybe(if your lucky) weaned.
survive 30 days then things get lots easier.
good luck.