Weaning Question

[TxStateCowboy]

I was wondering how early I can wean some calves off of their cows, as I have 1/4 of the calf crop ready for weaning but the rest are a couple months old.

Would it be ok to wean 2-4 month old calves (along with the 6-7 month olds?), putting them on their own small pasture(good fences) with hay and feed?

Would putting a couple of cows or older heifers with them help?

 

[Herefordcross]

We have weaned calves as early as three months to even everything out BUT, the calves that are that young getting weaned seem to have greatly stunted growth!

 

[msscamp]

Would it be ok to wean 2-4 month old calves (along with the 6-7 month olds?), putting them on their own small pasture(good fences) with hay and feed?

I wouldn't wean them until they were at least 4 months old - even then only if I had to because they just don't do as well usually. Just my thoughts.

 

[randiliana]

I agree, it would be best for the younger calves to be left on their mothers until they are at least 4 months old.

 

[TxStateCowboy]

thanks ya'll.

I'll wean in groups of 6 or so as they reach 4 1/2 to 5 mo., depending on what they look like or how dependent they seem on mom.

 

[Texas PaPaw]

TSC

I have weaned calves at 3 months with good results, however they will need extra protein for a couple of months. When grazing warm season grass I feed 2lb/day corn gluten pellets or 2lb/day of 20% cubes. You can also feed 5lb/hd 3 times weekly to save time. They need an extra .4-.5lb crude protein daily. After 3 months of age, mom's primary function is providing a protein supplement. The calf should be getting over 50% of their nutrition from forage at this age.

For more info on low stress weaning do a google search for fence line weaning.

Good luck & happy trails.

Brock

 

[rkm]

When I weaned last fall about half the calves were 500 to 600 lbs, the other half about 300 lbs. I wanted get it done. It was a big mistake. The calves were fed free choice corn silage and 2nd crop mixed hay, with a limited amount of grain. The big calves gained more than 3 lbs. a day the young ones hardly 1 lb. a day.