Same question different version

[Horticattleman]

I know this gets asked often but I have my own version. I have a calf that I bought as a pair to a cow. I found out later that the calf was orphaned and put with this cow. When I got em he was about 1 month old and didn't nurse much. mostly grass. he started bloating more and more and now at 6 months he is about 2.5 to 3 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. His head is the normal size for a calf his age but his legs are real short and stubby. His ears are REAL fuzzy and so is his body. I'm just not sure what to do. When I got him I had aspirations of winter beef but I'll be lucky if its in winter 2007 at this pace.

 

[msscamp]

6 months is old enough to wean - I believe I'd pull the calf and start him on grain (about 1% of his bodyweight to start), a good receiver ration, and a good quality hay. He is probably stunted enough that he will never achieve his full potential, but the grain and hay would help considerably - even at his age. It probably would not be feasible to sell him because of the hit you would undoubtedly take due to his size and condition.

 

[Horticattleman]

He's been weaned since I got him! He has been on pasture since day one. i think the guy i bought them from trained him to suck just long enough to get him on the Black Pearl (that's what they call my trailer..you know the decrepit ship from Pirates of the Car). I do see calves ike him come thru at the sale and sheesh I think I can get more for his hide.

 

[msscamp]

Bottle calves generally develop a 'hay belly' because they are not receiving a proper balance of feed - too much roughage and not enough milk. It sounds like that is what is happening with this calf due to being grafted onto a foster cow. I've never dealt with a calf this old, but I think if you were to put him on a grain ration - start at 1% of his bodyweight - and increase it gradually until he's eating 2, maybe 3 pounds a day, his hay belly will decrease and he will grow and fill out. I seriously doubt he will ever acheive his full potential, but he should grow enough to provide you with a reasonable amount of beef. Once he levels off on growth, finish him and send him to the packer. If you haven't already wormed him, you might think about doing that as well - it sure won't hurt. A 'fuzzy' look can be a sign of worms. Maybe our way of doing things is different than most people, but we rarely butcher before about 18 months of age. It seems to me you might have been a bit overly eager in your expectations of when you could butcher him.

 

[Horticattleman]

Thanks msscamp

 

[msscamp]

Welcome!