How to Raise an Orphan Beef Calf

A hand-raised calf

There are many in the farming industry that find themselves caring for an orphaned beef calf. In some cases, this may occur due to the death of the dam during birth or from her inability to produce milk to feed her offspring. Raising an orphan beef calf is relatively easy and as it happens quite often, there are plenty of resources available to help ensure you are successful at keeping the calf healthy and strong.

Things You'll Need

• Dry, clean cloth
• Colostrum
• Calf bottle or bucket
• Calf nipples
• Whole milk or milk replacement
• Calf starter mix

Instructions

Feeding the Calf

1. Clean the calf by wiping it briskly with a dry and clean cloth immediately after birth. This helps to stimulate blood circulation. Do not rub the calf roughly, but the movement should be firm to properly cleanse and stimulate circulation at the same time.

2. Provide colostrum for the calf's first feeding. It is essential to provide the calf with colostrum for their initial feeding as colostrum is a natural secretion that is only produced by the dam for the first few days after birth and is necessary for proper nutrition and immune system growth.

3. Use a high quality colostrum supplement, or colostrum that has been previously milked from a nursing dam and frozen for future use, and feed 5 to 6 pints of the fluid to the calf during the first hour after birth and then again at the next feeding providing it is within 12 hours after birth. Frozen colostrum should be defrosted at room temperature and warmed by hot water only.

4. Feed the calf a transition milk for the first three days, then afterward use a reconstituted milk replacement or whole milk. Feed calves between three and five quarts of whole milk daily, or mix milk replacement and feed according to the directions available on the milk replacement bag. To prevent overeating that results in scours (diarrhea), divide feedings and feed twice daily.

5. Provide a calf starter mix and fresh water when the calf is about 4 days old. Replace the starter mix and water daily so that the food is always fresh and does not sour. If you see the starter mix or water is soiled, discard and replace immediately.

6. Wait until the calf is eating approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds of the calf starter mix daily for at least three or four days in a row before beginning to wean the calf from milk. Once the calf is weaned, begin to make changes in the grain mix, slowly adding more grain feed to the starter mix and lessening the amount of starter in the mix over a two-week period.

Calf Housing

1. Keep the calf separated from other calves in a stall that is draft-free, yet still provides good air ventilation.

2. Provide straw for bedding if the temperature is low, making sure to replace any soiled straw daily.

3. Allow the calf ample room for movement during the day, placing the calf in a small pen away from other calves to prevent suckling from each other.

Tips & Warnings

• If the calf is orphaned because the dam has not produced milk and is unable to feed her young, allow the dam to lick and clean the calf after birth as this natural process is more stimulating for the calf. If the calf has been orphaned by a dam that has no interest in her young or is physically unable to care for her calf, milk the dam immediately after birth to use her colostrum to feed the calf.

• Do not use a microwave to warm colostrum or milk for the calf. If the calf develops scours, immediately seek medical treatment. Do not feed hay to calves until they are weaned from milk.

References

• Management, Nutrition and Medicine for Calves; Keith Jeffers; 1980
• Your Calf: A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing Beef and Dairy Calves; Heather Smith Thomas; 1996