deerhunter
Active member
I had a calf today and the mother doesnt have any milk and the calf wont stnd so my question is does a calf have to get milk from its mother before you can give it milk replacer?
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mnmtranching
Well-known member
No, it is not a must to have it's mothers milk. Colostrum is a must. get it from another cow or buy the dried formula. Feed it as soon as possible, at least within the first 3-4 hours.
deerhunter
Active member
what if u have to wait overnight
Keren
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deerhunter":2fakc1gy said:
see my post on your other thread
Yes, try to get colostrum, it is very beneficial to the future health of the calf. HOWEVER,...I have raised many bottle calves who never had colostrum, and I haven't lost one. Even back when the milk replacer products were not nearly as good as they are now. So do your best to get that colostrum, but if you can't, get a good medicated milk replacer and the calf will be fine. You can also ask your vet about colostrum products, there is a colostrum paste that many are using that seems to be pretty easy to use. Also keep in mind, after 24 hours of birth colostrum won't hurt,...but won't do a lot of good either.
