What happens to these calfs?

[Kingfisher]

What happens when you split a calf that 1-2 months old from it's momma? I've seen some neighbors "cull" a crazy momma cow and sell the calf separate. That seems like it would be hard on the calf. How does that work? Thanks in advance.

 

[skeeter swatter]

They get hungry.

 

[Aaron]

I've lost cows with 2 month old calves at foot. Put the calf into confinement and adjust it to water. Feed high-quality hay and a high-protein ration. Calf will do just as good or better than it's contemporaries.

I wish I had the housing facilities to feed a bunch of those-type calves (200-250 lbs). Could make a killing on them as they never go for premium dollar.


If you leave the calf to it's own after the cow is gone, he will probably learn to steal milk from other cows as well as drink water. He will usually end up being stunted in this case.

 

[Kingfisher]

How do you "adjust" one to water?

 

[skeeter swatter]

If you take them home and start them on grain two months or older should be fine. Under two months should have a bottle. If left to fend for themselves they will be stunted if they live at all.

 

[Aaron]

How do you "adjust" one to water?

Always have fresh, clean water available in the pen and steadily decrease the amount of milk replacer you give it every day. I recommend keeping the water in a 5 gallon pail so you can easily tell if the calf is drinking it.

Some calves are stubborn shits right off the bat and won't drink milk replacer at all, and will only drink water. These are the easy ones to get started.

 

[jerry27150]

sale barns split a lot of them from newborn to older. there are always people there that buy them. they know how to raise them & make money

 

[dun]

sale barns split a lot of them from newborn to older. there are always people there that buy them. they know how to raise them & make money

Some of them do, others buy them cause they're cute