Feeding Orphan Calves
by Jim Fisher
Friday, November 27, 2009 09:13:50 AM
There are many reasons why a rancher would be bottle feeding orphan calves.
The mother cow passed away in birth, the cow is not producing enough milk for the calf, the cow has to large of tits for the calf to suckle, the cow developed milk fever and is unable to stand up for the calf to suckle, and the cow refuses to claim the calf and allow it to suckle are just a few reasons why bottle feeding beef calves may be necessary.
The first step in feeding orphan calves is to get the calf cornered and place the nipple of the bottle in its mouth, then wither the calf will suckle from a bottle or not will be determined.
Most beef calves that have to be placed on a bottle will not like the exercises at first and will need time to adjust to the new surrounding and from suckling from a calf bottle.
Continue working with the beef calf for twice a day mourning and evening till the calf starts suckling form the bottle. Most of the bottle feeding beef calves that I have placed on a bottle have done so in the first three days, but many have taken up to fourteen days.
Calf Restart One-4 is a great supplement feeding for orphan calves that are having trouble suckling from a bottle.
The product comes premixed and ready to go in a drench form, all you have to do is get the liquid in the throat and the calf will sallow it down. I know it seems strange that a calf will not suckle a bottle, but you are able to get a drench down it, but it can be done and if you need help you can use a drench gun.
I always keep extra bottles of Calf Restart One-4 on hand, you never know when you may need it, especially when it is birthing time for our first calf heifers, I know I will need it sooner than later. It can really make a difference when feeding weak orphan calves.
When bottle feeding beef calves, I will give them a bottle of water with electrolytes during midday for the first week after I get them placed on a bottle.
The change in diet from no milk or their mother milk-to-milk replacer requires some adjustment for the calf stomach and the electrolytes will help the intestines of the calf to absorb the new milk keeping the calf well hydrated.
Sometimes even after suckling from a bottle they will not like the taste of the electrolytes and will not suckle this salty water, but what I will do is add just a little milk replacer in with the electrolyte water mixture to gave it the same smell as a regular milk replacer, then the calf will have no problem suckling the bottle.
For more on caring for orphan calves go to: bottle feeding calves