Heifer on Feed at 1 Week

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

How good is this? The people I got my bull from said they have a heifer that the mother died and its been bottle fed. They had some feed in the pen with it and after about a week it started eating feed and has eaten some ever since. It still has mostly milk, but eats some feed daily. Is this good? They say it is a really thick heifer that right now looks really good. I trust them, as they have helped me with everything. They said they dont know if their granddaughter will show it, but its doubtful and if she doesnt they will sell it to me. They have never sold a heifer to anyone before, but they are happy with what Ive done with the bull they sold me and think I could do good with this too, otherwise they wouldnt sell it. They even said if they dont sell that one, they will travel around with me to find a good one and get me a good deal since they have been showing brahmans for 30 years and know everyone. Ive kind of strayed off a little, but back to the question. Would a heifer be good that was on feed since 1 week for showing? Would all those added nutrients make it a better animal?

 

[Ryan]

many of our show animals are still in on feed when they calf. The calves at their side get to eat feed as soon as they can get up there beside mom and eat. The only problems i have seen is when we send them out to pasture when their show career is over, they tend to take a little extra time to get used to no feed and just grass.

 

[cherokeeruby]

How good is this? The people I got my bull from said they have a heifer that the mother died and its been bottle fed. They had some feed in the pen with it and after about a week it started eating feed and has eaten some ever since. It still has mostly milk, but eats some feed daily. Is this good? They say it is a really thick heifer that right now looks really good. I trust them, as they have helped me with everything. They said they dont know if their granddaughter will show it, but its doubtful and if she doesnt they will sell it to me. They have never sold a heifer to anyone before, but they are happy with what Ive done with the bull they sold me and think I could do good with this too, otherwise they wouldnt sell it. They even said if they dont sell that one, they will travel around with me to find a good one and get me a good deal since they have been showing brahmans for 30 years and know everyone. Ive kind of strayed off a little, but back to the question. Would a heifer be good that was on feed since 1 week for showing? Would all those added nutrients make it a better animal?

Don't have a clue about how well the heifer would show but to get off to a good start she would do better on a nurse cow. Sometimes a Jersey nurse cow can be found and the heifer grafted onto her. Don't think a little grain will hurt her just not too much while she is little.

 

[jgn]

Usually anyone raising a bottle calf or calves will try and get them on feed even if a small amount after they are about a week old. I don't know how it would affect it for show, personally think it should help it along, but sounds like they are doing exactly what needs to be done to raise an orphaned or bottle fed calf.

 

[dun]

I'm always surprised by the people that limit the solid feed that young calves, (bottle calves) have access to. When a calf is nursing it's mother it will be picking at grass/hay/grain if available when they're a couple of days old. They may not know what they're doing or be able to get much nutrition but if they aren't chewing their cud by the time they are 10 days to 2 weeks old they're not normal.

dun

 

[Ferdinand D Bull]

You just thought your bull was outsized. Try showing a bottle calf.

 

[Farmhand]

Any calf should be getting on grain by then. If you are looking for a show calf, I don't think I would go for any bottle calf. Calves on milk replacer always seem a little stinted and behind. Just cannot totally replace what momma can do for a calf.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

I don't know much about showing cattle, but a week old calf isn't harmed by a little bit of grain/feed. Most of my calves imitate what momma does and start eating hay and feed right along side of her. Calves I have bottle raised I have introduced feed to them at a week old. She should be okay.

Katherine

 

[TheBullLady]

If she's fed aggressively on milk replacer, (we double the amount suggested on the bag.. pretty much all they can eat) then she has a chance of doing well. It's not cost effective, but they grow out nicely. The only problem with some orphans is they'll get sick easier than a calf nursing a cow. Be really watchful of pnuemonia.. that will definately stunt their growth and limit their viability as they get older.

 

[Ryder]

I don't know about show cattle either. But the sooner they start eating feed, the better for rumen development.