I have a 2 1/2 month old miniature Zebu calf. He's strictly a pet, so I want to manage him for his well-being and not for my stomach. The owner of his mother is also a newbie, so I can't help but be leery of her opinion. Anyways, she wants to bred the mother back to her bull, so she wants to wean my calf cold-turkey from his mother by the end of the month. I have seen the calf nibble on hay and he'll eat treats from my hand, but I haven't seen him drink water at all. He only nurses from Mom. What would anyone here recommend on how to wean this calf properly?
Should I put him on calf replacer (bucket or bottle) for a few days before weaning him and then continue with that for a few days afterwards? Or should I just put him on calf manna? At his age is his rumen fully developed? Lastly, the cow's owner feeds her herd alfalfa in the morning and 3-way (wheat, oat, & barley) hay in the evening, and her cattle are very fat and bloated. So when my calf is separated from his mother what roughage (hay) would you all recommend?
Thank you in advance for your opinion and advice
Should I put him on calf replacer (bucket or bottle) for a few days before weaning him and then continue with that for a few days afterwards? Or should I just put him on calf manna? At his age is his rumen fully developed? Lastly, the cow's owner feeds her herd alfalfa in the morning and 3-way (wheat, oat, & barley) hay in the evening, and her cattle are very fat and bloated. So when my calf is separated from his mother what roughage (hay) would you all recommend?
Thank you in advance for your opinion and advice