How much milk replacer

[Kerry]

I just bought a calf, she is a month old. How much milk replacer should I mix in with the water - a couple tablespoons per one cup of water? I looked on the bag but I do not see any instructions for measurements. Also, I have read that you can also mix in yogurt with the milk replacer. Is this also a good idea? As always, thank you very much for all your help.

 

[dun]

What brand of replacer is it? I've never seen any without feeding/mixing directions. I'm not sure about the exact amount but it seems like the usual cup that comes with the various replacers are about 1 cup per 4 pints. And you feed that amount twice a day. Insure that it starts eating a high quality calf starter grain ASAP and keep fresh water in front of it all the time.

dun

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Every milk replacer is a little different. Usually comes with a cup for measuring. If not, call the place where you got it & make them find out what you need.
Yogurt is always good to give to any animal that is stressed or on antibiotics (even people).

 

[Kerry]

It is Purina milk replacer. I bought it off the farmer, it is a full bag, he used a little of it on another calf. There was no measuring cup and I looked on the bag for the correct amount but did not see anything. I will look again tonight. Thanks again for all your help.

 

[CattleAnnie]

For what it's worth, I think it usually works out to about three cups of powder to two litres of water.

Mind you, it's been a couple months since I've had to mix up any for a bottle. Milkmaid would probably know the correct amount. Could also call the Purina company and ask them for the proper instructions.

Take care.

 

[jerry27150]

never used purina, but their stuff is usually good so i would guess 1- 1/2 cups per 2 quarts. a 100 lb calf will need 2 quarts twice a day. less if he is smaller. how did that farmer mix it?

 

[Kerry]

The calf was on her mom's milk up to yesterday afternoon. Mom was going to the butcher today, that is why I brought her home so early. I thought the bag would have feed instructions on it and may be I missed them completely but I did not see any measure instructions when I looked last night. When I get home tonight, I will look again.

 

[milkmaid]

The type I buy is 8oz (1/2lb) to 4 pints (2 quarts) of water - but there's a little common sense involved if you're mixing it in a bucket and then pouring the milk back into a bottle. 8oz of milk replacer + 4 pints of water just doesn't fit in a bottle, and you'll have some left over. In other words, she'll get shorted on liquid until you get her to drink from a bucket; at that point you can also give her extra water (2 1/2 - 3 quarts) in with the powder. 2 quarts just doesn't fill them up.

Good luck on getting her to drink from a bottle - generally calves on a cow don't take to the bottle very easily. She may have to miss a feeding before she'll decide to drink.

 

[cowspider]

I was told by my Vet. to mix yougert and beer to give a sick calf. it's suppost to peek their appitite(sp) and get them back on feed.
adds good bugs for the gut

:cboy:

 

[Kerry]

In the past I have not had much luck with the bottle, I have poured the milk replacer in a bucket and my two cows learned to drink out of that, within a day. I am hoping I have the same luck with this calf. She has a bucket of water and calf grower also.

 

[tom4018]

We use Purina, they changed last fall to a 10 oz. cup for 2 quarts, it was 8 oz. Hope this helps.

 

[HoneyBIzMe]

I was told by my Vet. to mix yougert and beer to give a sick calf. it's suppost to peek their appitite(sp) and get them back on feed.
adds good bugs for the gut

:cboy:

I know this post was ages ago but....incase someone reads this; how do you prepare the beer and or yogurt to feed them? Warm ? In milk? Just curious. I have a new calf and might need to know. Thank you.

 

[farmerjan]

I add yogurt to the milk replacer... 1 - 2 cups of yogurt in a 2 qt bottle... make sure it is live culture... the mixture needs to be drinkable. In fact there are a couple of local creameries around here that have a "drinkable yogurt" ... we used to call it "kefir" back in the "hippy days of the 70's-80's"... that can be fed in place of 1/4 to 1/2 the bottle if the calf gets scoury... think consistency of a smoothie...... never mixed beer for them so I am no help there.
I mix my milk replacer in a small gal bucket to just make it easier to mix.... any extra can be refridgerated for the next feeding. And I am old school and like to feed the milk warm.... I know there are some studies that it is fed room temp or cold...

 

[HoneyBIzMe]

Thank you!