[BoldVenture]

I've got a couple of weaned bull calves. 1 is a nice big Holstein that's probably 3 months old. He was bottle fed and still comes looking for it when you walk in his stall. He's eating feed, hay and drinking water. The other is a weaned Angus bull calf that's probably 2 months old, he was weaned off is Momma and has a dislocated or broken hip (I don't know how this happened). He gets around good and has been eating feed and hay. I have 2 questions here, 1 is should I give these calves free access to grain or limit it to 2 feelings per day and keep them hungry? The other question I have is the angus calf is a little lethargic, he looks very healthy and alert but isn't as energetic and eager as the Holstien calf... Any ideas?


Bold Venture Farms
Buffalo Valley, TN

 

[SupaDexta]

No you have to work them up to grain, or you can ruin their guts (Grain Overload and Acidosis and they can founder - lameness the rest of their lives). Basically a scoop morning and night is a good start. Just keep good hay in front of them and let them eat as much of that as they want, the grain is just a supplement.

No idea what's wrong with the calf from that description, other then you said he may have a broken hip - that would slow him down for sure.

 

[BoldVenture]

Thanks!


Bold Venture Farms
Buffalo Valley, TN

 

[Townline-Angus]

Just use the grain to keep them coming to you when called. I had one here that was spoiled and every time we tried to go into the pasture he would try to plow you over to get grain out of you. It compounded the problem because then we could only get into the pasture with the grain to give him as a distraction. I bet the Angus bull is in some sort of pain and doesn't want to move too fast. You might also want to try worming them.