I only feed 2 times a day, exactly on schedule. Maybe if it's sub-zero temps, I'll do a mid-day extra feeding. I always have grain, water and a small amount of good quality hay in front of them. They get curious and nibble on it, plus I think if they feel like they need the roughage, they'll eat it.
It's a very large undertaking raising dairy calves out. Very time consuming, and labor intensive, and profit margins are slim, at best. I raised 155 calves last year and lost 4 (in my defense, one was determined to have been born with a lung defect) Made pretty good money on them, but my hay is "free" since I baled it, no milk replacer costs, (helps if you work at a dairy
) already had the calf pens, and the barn space available. Without already having all this, my margins would have been waaay down.
It's a tough road to travel, and not for everybody.
Edit to add. Older guy up the road hired me to raise his 4 holsteins, like he said, there's no way I have the time, patience, or knowledge anymore for it. I'm charging $3 a day per head for feeding until weaning, covers, milk (free for me
) calf housing, and feeding. Any meds are an extra charge.
So, that should give you an idea on margins, he thinks it's a bargain to not have to mess with it. But I do have a reputation for putting out some high quality calves, so that helps a bit.