I'm selling an older cow that has a 3 ½ month old calf; however, I'm keeping the calf. As a result, I am going to be weaning the calf at about 3 ½ months.
This is a potential show heifer; so if at all possible, I don't want the calf to "miss a beat". Unfortunately, the calf has not been on creep feed. If I'm able to, I'm going to try to "fence-line wean" for about a week prior to shipping the cow off. Please give me any thoughts and ideas that you have to make this weaning as successful as possible Would it make sense to try to introduce the calf to a bottle for a couple of weeks until she becomes familiar with grain? What is the best ration to get her going? Wouldn't weaning with a "buddy" be better as well?
Thanks for all your input.
This is a potential show heifer; so if at all possible, I don't want the calf to "miss a beat". Unfortunately, the calf has not been on creep feed. If I'm able to, I'm going to try to "fence-line wean" for about a week prior to shipping the cow off. Please give me any thoughts and ideas that you have to make this weaning as successful as possible Would it make sense to try to introduce the calf to a bottle for a couple of weeks until she becomes familiar with grain? What is the best ration to get her going? Wouldn't weaning with a "buddy" be better as well?
Thanks for all your input.