Calf not weaned

[csandhollow]

I just acquired a 2 month old calf that was pulled from her mama because the mama was drying up. The calf is very small for its age. I am giving it 1 1/2 quarts of replacement milk twice a day in a bucket. IT cannot drink a whole 2 quarts. I am keeping some calf feed in a bucket next to the milk bucket. It is not eatting any of the grain. It is a heifer. I doubt that it will ever be of a size to safely give birth so it is planned to be freezer meat. IF by some miracle it grows enough I will see about trading for a steer.
My question is how can I get this calf to eatting some grain?

 

[csandhollow]

One more question. Should I keep a water bucket in there with her? I have one in there now.

 

[*Cowgirl*]

leave h2o and hay in there. after she gets done eating poke some of the sweet feed in her mouth. keep doing it and she'll learn to love it

 

[csandhollow]

The calf will not allow me to handle it yet so there is no way I can poke feed in its mouth yet.
Would black strap mollasses help get her to eating the grain? (Calf manna) :?:

 

[Workinonit Farm]

It wouldn't hurt to add a bit of molassas. By all means, keep a bucket of fresh water available to her at all times. Have some good quality hay available to her as well. Eventually she will figure it out.

Good luck with her.

Katherine

 

[TNfamilyfarm]

what kind of steer do you want, im just up the road.swap with ya anytime.


i would consider giving the calf vit shots now!
is she in a pen? everything for her should be "high quality" hay,grain,milk replacer. that way she will like it. keep fresh water down and add some eggs to her milk replacer for a couple of days.
as far as handling her she'll learn real quick, to let you touch, pet, etc as she is drinking.

 

[novatech]

The calf will not allow me to handle it yet so there is no way I can poke feed in its mouth yet.
Would black strap mollasses help get her to eating the grain? (Calf manna) :?:

Get over the top of that calf, put your hand over the top of it,s muzel, put your thumb in one side of its mouth and fingers in the other. You may have to squeeze in with your legs. It helps to have calf backed up to wall or fence. Pry it's mouth open and shove that feed in. I can,t isn't going to get the job done. Go in and grab it, and do it.Throw it on the ground, or what ever it takes. If you can't do it now you surely are not going to do it when it gets stronger.