Raising calfs

They will need hay, all that they want to eat. Calf starter and a mineral block. Free access to all the fresh clean water that tehy need. A place to get out of the wind is a must.

 

Are they on mom or being bottle fed?

 

Try to get a good milk replacer that is all milk product and not soy based. Tractor supply has a good one that is reasonably priced and mixes up well. Did you ask if they were vaccinated when you bought them? We give ours a 7 way Clostridial vaccine called alpha seven at birth then we booster it about a month prior to weaning. You might keep some scours bolus on hand just in case as well. What do you plan to do with the calves in the end?


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They need hay ASAP. They won't eat too much right away, but it will be good for them to start nibbling around on it.

I put a handful of starter pellets in their mouths after they finish a bottle when they are still mouthing around looking for more milk.

 

They'll begin to eat it out of curiosity but it helps if they see another cow eating it. The bits of bacteria they get from eating a little bit of hay help to develop the good bacteria in the rumen. As this bacteria develops along with their rumen, they'll be able to eat more hay. Google rumen developments of calves, it's very interesting!


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What RanchWife said^^^^^
Ours have access to hay and starter grain from day 1.
I try and find a small stem softer hay to start my bottle calves on. Easier on the gut and they seem more interested in trying it. Has helped mine over the years. Once they are eating hay pretty well I'll get a better quality hay like alfalfa.

 

Yea i hsve had better outcome with hay from day 1.

 

What kind of hay do they need? Thanks

 

No idea, mine get grass. Or eat the same our cows do. I think I saw The Fairfarmhand said hay that is more fine than coarse....


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We have a dog that likes to clean calf bottoms. Gross but it works. He's a Great Pyr.

I'd clean it just because it's stinky and gross.

Warm water and a rag. However if it's cool at all wheere you are, wait till a warm day. It's better for a calf to be smelly and dirty than clean and chilled.

 

and oh, by the way. Calves often scour in response to stress. Just the move and changes can upset their tummies. I'd stick to the milk replacer recommendation on the bag. Don't switch out brands. Once they get used to one kind a change can mess them up again.

 

Lots of great advice on this thread.

 

Good quality or any tupe of good hay the animal would eat. Its all good.