Why raising bottle calves is tougher than you think!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- If you’ve ever raised bottle calves, you know how much work it is. If you’re not diligent, you can have a healthy calf one day, and the next day he's gone.
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The trick to raising bottle calves is to love them. We enjoy feeding and watching them grow.
That also helps!
I enjoy your stories! Thanks for taking us along.
You're so welcome!
How did he stop the scours?
I can only tell you what works for me. Different farmers do different things. Don’t give them any milk or formula for 12-16 hrs. Only give them electrolyte during that time, to prevent dehydration and decrease gastric inflammation. I know that seems like you’re starving them, but you’re not. After 12-16 hrs., the scours should subside, and the calf will start acting better: ears up, less lethargy and have more energy. When you begin giving milk replacer again, the first 24 hrs., give only a quarter of a bottle (measure the milk replacer and water for just that amount), 4 times that day. If they tolerate that, try a third of a bottle three times a day, the next day, then the following day, half a bottle two times a day, until you work your way up to two bottles a day. If they are unable to take electrolyte from a bottle (too lethargic, etc.), you will need to give it to them with an esophageal feeder. This has worked for me so many times. I hope it works for you. Good Luck!
I just realized that I didn’t answer your question. My dad did the same thing. He was big on preventing scours, which he said was from overfeeding. So, he wouldn’t start them out on a whole bottle twice a day. Depending on their size, he would start them out on 1/4 to a 1/2 of a bottle twice a day, and would gradually increase the amount per feeding over the course of a week or two.
Good stuff from days gone by, that's one way to lower input cost, and rescue some calves.
It sure is! Thanks for stopping by again.
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Great stories, I've bottle fed a bunch but never nor would I raise 20 or 30 at a time
@@timothyboyd5548 It was quite a challenge, but I think it taught me a lot more than just how to raise calves!
He sure didn't put you out of business did he? haha
He did not! Thanks for watching.