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Bottle Calves
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<blockquote data-quote="RichieMaGoo" data-source="post: 157574" data-attributes="member: 2524"><p>I make more money off of bottle calves than my neighbors make the regular way. The trick is to keep the death rate low. Out of 26 I've raised so far, I've only lost one. I raise them in hutches with large outdoor runs- use a good quality milk replacer (with at least 22% protien and 22% fat)- give them access to hay and water from day one- no vaccinations or meds- and, probably the most important thing: I buy mine off the farm- not from sale barns/auctions. </p><p></p><p>The biggest problem I'm having is finding calves- as everyone seems to be taking them to the auctions, to try and get top dollar for them. I've paid as much as $130 for a calf- but I'm not going to pay $180 for a few-day-old calf- it's just not worth it. </p><p></p><p>If ya can find 'em, this is the way to make the best profit in the cattle business. I average $175-$250 profit per head. I just bought a 7 month old beef heifer today....but she's for my own use- I don't see much profit in maintaining a cow year round just to throw off one calf per year...if your lucky.</p><p></p><p>With the bottle calves....just make sure they get colostrum for the first few days- real colostrum. If they're not given their mothers colostrum for the first few days, get some colostrum and feed it to them till they're at least 4 days old. Wean them between 4 and 5 weeks (they do fine- and it helps keep profits up) and as soon as they're old enough, let 'em free range. If they have access to varied plants and grasses, they'll eat what they need to stay healthy. </p><p></p><p>All of my country neighbors that have fooled with bottle calves have not had good luck....so I don't know if I'm just lucky or what- being a former city boy....but bottle calves are working great for me.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RichieMaGoo, post: 157574, member: 2524"] I make more money off of bottle calves than my neighbors make the regular way. The trick is to keep the death rate low. Out of 26 I've raised so far, I've only lost one. I raise them in hutches with large outdoor runs- use a good quality milk replacer (with at least 22% protien and 22% fat)- give them access to hay and water from day one- no vaccinations or meds- and, probably the most important thing: I buy mine off the farm- not from sale barns/auctions. The biggest problem I'm having is finding calves- as everyone seems to be taking them to the auctions, to try and get top dollar for them. I've paid as much as $130 for a calf- but I'm not going to pay $180 for a few-day-old calf- it's just not worth it. If ya can find 'em, this is the way to make the best profit in the cattle business. I average $175-$250 profit per head. I just bought a 7 month old beef heifer today....but she's for my own use- I don't see much profit in maintaining a cow year round just to throw off one calf per year...if your lucky. With the bottle calves....just make sure they get colostrum for the first few days- real colostrum. If they're not given their mothers colostrum for the first few days, get some colostrum and feed it to them till they're at least 4 days old. Wean them between 4 and 5 weeks (they do fine- and it helps keep profits up) and as soon as they're old enough, let 'em free range. If they have access to varied plants and grasses, they'll eat what they need to stay healthy. All of my country neighbors that have fooled with bottle calves have not had good luck....so I don't know if I'm just lucky or what- being a former city boy....but bottle calves are working great for me. [/QUOTE]
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