How to Raise a Bottle Calf

When a cow dies after giving birth, it is up to the rancher to feed the calf until he's old enough to survive on solid food.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 bottle, nipple, and ring per calf
• Milk replacer
• Calf starter
• Clean drinking water
• Barn or shelter
• At least 1/4 acre per calf after weaning

1. 
    

   BOTTLE FEEDING
   
   As soon as possible, get the calf drinking milk replacer from a bottle. It may be tempting to teach him to drink from a bucket, but doing so will cause many of the milk's nutrients to bypass the stomach and go straight to the rumen. The sucking action of drinking from a bottle allows all of the nutrients to go directly into the true stomach for proper digestion.

2. 
    
   Milk Replacer

   MILK REPLACER
   
   You can buy milk replacer for calves at any farm supply store. The back of the bag will include directions for the amount of powder and water to use.
   
   In our experience, it has worked well to start with HALF STRENGTH formula. This helps to prevent scours, a condition in calves that can be caused by overly concentrated milk replacer, among other things. See link below to article "How to Recognize and Treat Calf Scours" for more info. Your calf will still get plenty of nutrition with the half-strength formula, and you'll be lowering their risk of scours and stimulating their appetite for grass and hay.

3. OTHER FEEDING GUIDELINES
   
   Starting at 4 days of age, provide 1 cup of calf starter per calf. This is a mixture of grains, protein, minerals and vitamins that allows the rumen to begin developing. Remove any uneaten feed each day and replace it with fresh starter. They will only nibble at it for the first 2 weeks, but then will begin to show more interest in it.
   
   Provide free access to fresh, clean drinking water at all times.

4. 
    

   WEANING GUIDELINES
   
   Calves should be weaned from milk replacer when they are eating 1.5-2 lbs of calf starter per day for at least 3 days in a row. You can wean a calf by simply stopping the bottle feedings, or gradually by reducing the volume and frequency of feedings over several days.
   
   At weaning time, start providing access to grass or clean, high-quality hay that is free of dust, mold, coarse stems, or weeds. Eating forage and calf starter and drinking water from a bucket or trough promotes development of the rumen for a healthy digestive tract.

5. 
    

   MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
   
   Calves must have some type of shelter out of the wind, rain, and sun. A barn works well, of course, but a run-in shed that is open on one side is also fine.

Tips & Warnings

• Start teaching your bottle calf to respect you early in life! They can get too familiar with people and become pushy later on.
• Watch closely for signs that your calf is not tolerating the milk replacer, as this is common. Check out the article below on calf scours to learn how to recognize and treat this condition.

Resources

• How to Recognize and Treat Calf Scours

[karileighk]

on 6/27/2009 Great info. *5

[AmyRose]

on 5/22/2009 Excellent information in this new era of returning sustainable and family farms. 5*