bottle calf

[Haviris]

My friend was given a baby bottle calf, I don't know all the details but they said she never nursed off the cow and wasn't given any colostrum, the calf is now 5 days old (they got her yesterday), they want to know if there is anything they can do to make up for her not getting the colostrum? Would it help if they gave her some now? When will she start making her own immunities (I hope I said that right)?

 

[jerry27150]

most of the old timer dairy farmers would never feed colostrum to a new calf. back then a lot of them figured the cow just hadn't come to her milk yet. i have raised a few myself without it & never had any trouble. however i would vaccinate the new one at about three or four weeks.

 

[jerry27150]

it would do no good to give it anycolostrom at this time.

 

[Haviris]

Thank you, I will pass on the info, hopefully they won't have any trouble.