strick75":33eggw60 said:
My calf will be 2 months old on Oct. 13th. She had a bad start in life and has been bottle fed since
she was 6 days old. We have her at the pasture now and I go there twice a day to feed her. She is drinking almost 4 qts. each feeding. I also put pieces of apple in the calf starter and she eats the apple
out but when the apple is gone, she does not want it. She is still hungry and wants more milk.
Should I feed her more milk? She does graze on grass some but I have no idea how much she actually eats.
This morning she was still very hungry, she even tried to nurse another mom but that did not work.
What do I need to do?
Thanks,
Sheila
Sheila
I suspect you are a newbie.
Everyone who is new always seems to panic when "my calf will not eat starter". I see it here at least several times a month - do a search for your own info and you will see what I am talking about.
If this animal is with other cows it has already learned to eat grass.
Others will tell you it MUST be separated and NEEDS grain. I disagree and this is why .....
But first - I hate bottle calves - all work and expense - pain in the butt - but we learned a few years ago that we could do it differently with great success.
If we keep a bottle feeder (rare - no novelty, just extra work), we now let it run with some quiet cows and do not supplement - we bottle feed like you and it stays with the herd. At the end of the season they always seem to be right there with the rest of them.
In fact - despite what I am saying above - while I am away my wife is bottle feeding an orphan with great genetics - it runs with the herd and things are going quite well according to my last skype conversation with her - only yesterday.
I do admit my wife does not follow the directions on the bag - she feeds somewhat richer and usually a little longer than most on this board would do - perhaps that is the difference - you do as you see fit - it is your animal.
Trust me - there are ways you can force her to eat grain - and there are ways you can teach her to eat it.
Personally - after nearly 50 years of cattle experience I would not waste my time. When the calf is ready to eat - it will eat.
As for being hungry after feeding - two things.
1. I cannot see your calf - but I suspect it is simply the "suck reflex" - you feed twice a day - three times a day or whatever - then take the bottle out of its mouth - it will suck anything - it is a normal instinctive reflex.
2. Without seeing your calf I can tell you - if you think it is truly hungry and it needs more milk - you can likely increase it - or add a mid day feeding if you are inclined. Any increases to be done a bit at a time and
slowly - but in fact if it looks healthy then just keep doing what you are doing. However I suspect your calf is doing reasonably well from the sounds of it. I know this is obvious - but as it grows it needs more - remember that.
If the calf tries to steal - that is great - it may learn how to avoid being kicked - which animals will let it and most importantly - how to steal - less work for you if it happens. May happen and may not - you will still have to feed.
Oh, yeah - relax.
You do the search and read what others have to say and do as you see fit - but for the moment I figure things are working.
All is well and you are likely getting wrapped around the axles for no reason.
Enjoy your calf.
Bez+