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milk replacer
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<blockquote data-quote="Hitch" data-source="post: 454922" data-attributes="member: 6106"><p>You have received some really good inputs; here's my thoughts from afar... Do not waste any milk replacer you already paid for. Mix it in with the new stuff so the calf doesn't get sick from sudden changes in feed. I like Land o Lakes but believe in reading the tags on feed bags. No need to pay more just for name on the bag. Colostrum is of the highest priority. I dont like buying from sale barns (risk of importing illness plus stressed calves off the git go) but then I am a small scale operator and can afford not to. I am willing to pay a farmer a little extra if the calf is left with "Mom" for a week to 10 days. Freezing colostrum is a great idea - I freeze in quart portions; some folks say pint is better for portion control, less waste, etc. You may want to talk to a dairy farmer about picking up milk he can't sell cuz of recently freshened cows. Use a double boiler when you thaw out/prepare frozen milk. Do not use the mircowave as it is just to easy to burn the milk or overheat it and ruin the value of colostrum in particular. Goat's milk can pass for a milk replacer too. A candy thermometer can help getting the milk to the best feeding temperature. Good luck and have fun. Those first 8 weeks or so of a calf's life can keep you busy. After that, if all is going well, you can relax a tiny bit and progress onwards with weaning and new diet - more fun!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hitch, post: 454922, member: 6106"] You have received some really good inputs; here's my thoughts from afar... Do not waste any milk replacer you already paid for. Mix it in with the new stuff so the calf doesn't get sick from sudden changes in feed. I like Land o Lakes but believe in reading the tags on feed bags. No need to pay more just for name on the bag. Colostrum is of the highest priority. I dont like buying from sale barns (risk of importing illness plus stressed calves off the git go) but then I am a small scale operator and can afford not to. I am willing to pay a farmer a little extra if the calf is left with "Mom" for a week to 10 days. Freezing colostrum is a great idea - I freeze in quart portions; some folks say pint is better for portion control, less waste, etc. You may want to talk to a dairy farmer about picking up milk he can't sell cuz of recently freshened cows. Use a double boiler when you thaw out/prepare frozen milk. Do not use the mircowave as it is just to easy to burn the milk or overheat it and ruin the value of colostrum in particular. Goat's milk can pass for a milk replacer too. A candy thermometer can help getting the milk to the best feeding temperature. Good luck and have fun. Those first 8 weeks or so of a calf's life can keep you busy. After that, if all is going well, you can relax a tiny bit and progress onwards with weaning and new diet - more fun! [/QUOTE]
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