Calf bottle 2 qt/3qt?
- Thread starter MurraysMutts
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northerner
Member
I would not increase the milk replacer amount.
For myself, I feed mine twice a day 2 qt per feeding all the way to weaning (except for the last week when they get only one feeding a day) and never increase dosage. Starting day 3 leave a handful of calf starter in backet. As they grow and start eating the starter I increase the starter amount, so they're welcome to supplement their nutrition requirements with starter.
Works well for me.
For myself, I feed mine twice a day 2 qt per feeding all the way to weaning (except for the last week when they get only one feeding a day) and never increase dosage. Starting day 3 leave a handful of calf starter in backet. As they grow and start eating the starter I increase the starter amount, so they're welcome to supplement their nutrition requirements with starter.
Works well for me.
suzorse
Well-known member
you really need a calf starter , I have raised lots of bottle calves , right now I have 2 Jersey bull calves on replacer , at 2 months old they are still on 2 qts 2 X a day and are eating a flake of alfalfa and 4 to 5lbs of calf starter a day , I buy 50lb bags of an all milk protein replacer , and will go threw 2 to 3 bags per calf before I wean at 3 to 4 months , if I am feeding raw milk and it is a beef calf I have fed up to or more than a gal 2 times a day of raw milk , when I am milking , I have also done 1/2 replacer and 1/2 raw gal per feeding , I never give stocker feed till they are at least 3 months and also add Calf manna / Milk Plus / Animax to the stocker grower for higher protein , I have repeat costumers for my calves , as they know they are healthy and look good , and I get a higher price for them when I go to sell , calves left on the cow drink way more milk than you think , I have had them drink 4 to 6 gal per day , but I do know what my cows produce , as I also milk them till their calf is taking it all
Suzanne
Suzanne
Hardnosecattleco
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Am currently raising a handful of milk calves myself. Kinda a project/ fun thing to keep me busy. My first batch of calves I did the whole 2 qts milk replacer for week to two then after that I gradually been adding more volume of water just a little bit but after that two week mark I pour warm water into the pails and feed them as much as they'll drink of warm water. I also work on a dairy farm and that's something we've been doing for a year now. Calves are 6 weeks and look like 10 week old calves now. I introduce grain at day one
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MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Well guys, I've stuck with 2 bottles a day.
2 qts each. Hes doing really well. Almost thru my second bag of milk. 25lb bags of ultra 24 multi species. NO SOY.
I think I'll go thru one more bag. Probly wean him off milk about halfway thru the next bag.
2 qts each. Hes doing really well. Almost thru my second bag of milk. 25lb bags of ultra 24 multi species. NO SOY.
I think I'll go thru one more bag. Probly wean him off milk about halfway thru the next bag.
hurleyjd
Well-known member
How about getting some good alfalfa hay and keep it in front of him. Needs it to develop the rumen.
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MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Never tried it. I have him up to 1+ lb a day of feed. Just increased to 1 and a half pounds. He is eating it well tho. My plan is to get him up to 2 pounds a day and start weaning off the milk. How much per day are u thinking?
Something I have done with the 3 quart calf bottle , is when the calves are 2 weeks old start giving them 1oz less of replacer in the morning and adding it to the evening feeding until they are getting All of their replacer once a day, full strength of the powder. In 1 feeding at night so they eat more grain faster, I've done a side by side comparison with calves 1 on the once a day feeding and 1 on the twice a day feeding. The calf on the once a day feeding started eating more grain sooner and he grew faster too. I've raised 12 calves in the once a day feeding so far and they have all been fine!
darcelina4
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I've fed some of that atwoodsgrain and they like it. I've had the best successfeeding bottle calves a mix of 16 %high gain pellets and honey grain
I buy those at Stillwater milling.
I buy those at Stillwater milling.
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MurraysMutts
Well-known member
I was actually looking at the honey grain today. Coop keeps it. It's only 9% protein tho
