weaning

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I bought, at auction, a 210# angus steer calf whose mother proceeded her in the sale. So the situation is obvious that he was feeding. In a moment of going brain dead I let the calf out directly into the field to get some immediate water and have lost the ability to bottle feed unless I take drastic action to recover. Because of the stress of the day he wants no part of me. I have other calves that are late February that are about 50# heaver so I figure him to be 2 1/2 - 3 months. Am I ok to let him go or should I more agressively pursue and continue to provide milk substitute. Other than bawling for his mother all night he seems healthy but is not eating quite as much as the others.

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[Anonymous]

> Yesterday I bought, at auction, a
> 210# angus steer calf whose mother
> proceeded her in the sale. So the
> situation is obvious that he was
> feeding. In a moment of going
> brain dead I let the calf out
> directly into the field to get
> some immediate water and have lost
> the ability to bottle feed unless
> I take drastic action to recover.
> Because of the stress of the day
> he wants no part of me. I have
> other calves that are late
> February that are about 50# heaver
> so I figure him to be 2 1/2 - 3
> months. Am I ok to let him go or
> should I more agressively pursue
> and continue to provide milk
> substitute. Other than bawling for
> his mother all night he seems
> healthy but is not eating quite as
> much as the others. Should be alright. Might give him a probiotic product to stimulate his appetite. I use Conklin's Fastrak Boluses.

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[Anonymous]

I have bought plenty of young calves at cow auctions. My attitude is that If they dont want a bottle fine, as long as they are eating enough they survive. If he doesnt have an appetite maybe the B complex vitamins would be an idea. I believe B6 and B12, which I purchase from my vet for 5 dollars a bottle. My only concern with young calves weaned would be high quality feed intake. I normally dont creep feed (grain) at that size, just lots of good quality southern oregon hay.

Southern Oregon Farms
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