The Website for those, that ranching is a hobby or full time passion, based around bottle-feeding calves. The Message Board is a great area to ask questions or leave comments about cattle ranching and calf feeding. The Tip, Tricks, and How To Section has articles about ranching that can be useful for raising cattle.  

-There are some good advice on animal care in this web site, but always refer to your veterinarian for proper treatment of your animals.  Some home remedies work, but veterinarians know best, and can save you money and heartache with exact treatment. 

Colostrum Supplements

·         Use in the first twelve hours after birth if calf has never nursed, feed only twice in the first day only. After the first twelve hours the bottle calf can go on milk replacer

Sav-A-Calf Grade A Ultra 24 Milk Replacer

·         24-24 calf milk replacer with vitamins added, One of the best starter milks when a calf is resisting suckling a bottle, Also works well when a calf is sick.

       Purina Nurse Chow All Milk Protein Replacer

·         20-12 calf milk replacer, Available from many local feed stores almost anywhere. 

Cargill Snowflake Milk Replacer

• 20-13 calf milk replacer, Our top choice when feeding a bottle calf

Creep Feeds

Purina Acc-Creep 13% Protein

·         Feed 3 lbs of creep per head in morning and again in the evening.

·         Calf starter creeps with higher protein for those that are weaning off the bottle

Hay or Grass, and Water

Is keep out at all times for the bottle calves to eat and drink free choice

Mineral and Salt Licks

Is provided from the start for calves from the start

-Be sure read all product labels, and full understand dosage amounts before you administer any vaccines or treatments to animals.  If you have any question ask a veterinarian.

Scour Treatments for Bottle Calves

Mild Case

·         Aureomycin - Just mix in a tsp spoon in with milk replacer once day for up to four days

Average Case

·         Manna Pro Scour Ease Plus- Calf supplement to be add to milk replacers

·         Maxi Sorb Bolus- Safe at any age and help thicken the discharge 

Extreme Case

·         Noromycin 300 LA, Norbrook or LA200- Ready to use injection shot of antibiotic

                Sustain III Bolus- Only if calf is older than 35 days, but has the best results  

Tips on When Calves don't Want To Nurse a Bottle
 

1. Stay calm. It can be very frustrating when a bottle calf doesn’t want to suckle or nurse a bottle, but getting irritated won’t help.
 
2. Only mix and try a half of a bottle. You won’t have to pour out as much if it doesn’t suck and it is lighter and easier to handle.
 
3. Place the calf in a very small pen or loading chute, then sprinkle some milk replacer on it nose. Then wait for the calf to lick it off. Stand in front of the calf not touching it, but don’t let it go by you. Then place the nipple in its mouth.
 
4. Try placing the bottle in its mouth several times for about 15 minutes in the morning, if the calf doesn’t suckle or nurse the bottle. Stop. Then try again that evening.
 
5. Give an injection vitamin B complex supplemental for cattle. It will help stimulate the calf’s appetite and want to suckle or nurse a bottle.

FAQ

Is there any profit in raising bottle calves?

Well, yes, but very little money is made, by the time you buy feed and milk replacer you can make a little money, but not much.

Why do you bottle feed calves?

There are 3 main reasons why we may be raising bottle calves. 1) The calf’s mother has pass away or doesn’t clam the offspring. 2) We purchase baby calves at auction like Holstein calves to place on our own heifer cows, if their offspring didn’t survive the birth. 3) We purchase baby heifer calves to hand raise to keep on our ranch and reproduce, when these calves grow up; they are easier and safer to work with.

Why would you place a calf on a cow that is not her mother?

We will do so if the cow has lost her first offspring. From her raising the orphan calf, she will learn how to raise and take care of a baby calf. Also this will help condition the cow’s body in producing milk for future offspring.

What do calves do more: play or sleep?

Sleep, Most of the time they will be sleeping day and night. Baby calves will play very little. They will spend most of their time eating and sleeping.

Do baby calves drink water?

Yes, They like water and will drink often, especially here in Texas where it gets hot. Water will help cool them.

How much milk replacer will a calf take?

The general rule of thumb is 1/2 gallon in the morning and 1/2 gallon in the evening, but some calve do need more.