The horse barn where my daughter rides was given twin calves whose mother died during birth. They are now 4 weeks old and one is doing much better than the other.
It is common to have one twin do poorly. I do not believe you are feeding enough milk replacer - if the first feed is the one that brings it on try advancing the volume. Or break the feeding into three or more per day. You will get lots of opinions - but - what works for us is at least two quarts per feed three times per day and increasing the volume as they get older.
The weaker of the two must be picked up to help stand up in the mornings and doesn't want to walk without a push from behind.They are each given a quart of milk substitute twice a day. They drink it all in the a.m but are uninterested in the afternoon. They will not eat grain unless force fed by hand which we do several times a day.
Force feeding? Forget it - they do not do well on this - use hi quality calf manna or something similar - your local feed store will know. They are not ready for this yet - you may be doing more harm than good - in fact in my opinion you are doing just that.
They do eat a bit of grass when outside during the day and are given hay which they eat a small amt. of.
They nibble, but that is instinct - they have no rumen yet - therefore get nothing out of the gras and hay.
They are both very thin, but one much more do. They have had stools checked and are okay. A skin condition has been treated. We are a horse barn and have very little knowledge about cow care.
Try a vitamin shot - Selenium shot - some eletrolytes - feed store again - additional liquids as mentioned. You probably missed the colostrum so they will not do well initially but if you are lucky they will start to do well with tender loving care.
The local vets are of little or no help. How much grain should we be trying to get into them a day and when might they turn the corner and self feed?
Forget the grain as mentioned - none required at this stage. Self feed? We bucket them from day one and provide some type of hi quality calf feed from the start - but they never really get going on it for the first 6-8 weeks. NEVER push feed into a calf's mouth - they want it they will eat it.
Any help would be appreciated and the kids at the barn have become very attached to these calves and we really would like them to pull through.
There will be more advice coming - lots of knowledge out here - hang in there.
Bez
Thanks