She will be on a milk replacer 2quarts twice a day, have hay, fresh water, and medicated calf starter available. First timer here what am I missing? Shots, medications I should have available?? Thanks so much for the help Anne
3 week old Jersey heifer coming on friday! =) She's here ***PICS
- Thread starter codymax2
- Start date
elevan
Critter Addict ♥
I'm brand new to cattle myself but wanted to welcome you to the forum. And congratulations on your new calf.
jhm47
True BYH Addict
I'd find out what brand of milk replacer she is eating right now, and be sure to not change it. Buy enough to take her to weaning. Then, I'd also cut her back on her feedings to 1.5 qts/feeding for a couple days. This will encourage her to start eating her starter feeds. You can gradually increase her back to 2 qts/day. This will lessen her chances of scours.
As to drugs and medications, I'd not worry about that too much till you have a problem. If you buy a bunch of meds now, you might not get the appropriate ones if a problem should show up. It would be wise for you to establish a relationship with a vet who is knowledgeable in large animals like cattle. This would enable you to be quickly prepared in case of any unforeseen problems.
Be sure that the hay you have is of top quality. Cheap, poor quality hay is not usually worth bringing home, especially when fed to calves. Good luck!!!!!!!!
As to drugs and medications, I'd not worry about that too much till you have a problem. If you buy a bunch of meds now, you might not get the appropriate ones if a problem should show up. It would be wise for you to establish a relationship with a vet who is knowledgeable in large animals like cattle. This would enable you to be quickly prepared in case of any unforeseen problems.
Be sure that the hay you have is of top quality. Cheap, poor quality hay is not usually worth bringing home, especially when fed to calves. Good luck!!!!!!!!
redtailgal
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2010
- Messages
- 5,369
- Reaction score
- 27
- Points
- 0
Try to get a nipple that slips over the top of the bottle. Those screw on jobs are horrible. IF you do get a screw on, make sure that it has a vent hole to prevent the nipple from collapsing or you will end up with a frustrated calf!
The owner could show you the bottle that he/she has been using.
OR
what I would personaly do, is start the calf on a bucket right away. Buckets are sooooo much eaiser, in my opinion.
The owner could show you the bottle that he/she has been using.
OR
what I would personaly do, is start the calf on a bucket right away. Buckets are sooooo much eaiser, in my opinion.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks so much for the reply! I was reading up on scours, and it looks pretty scary =/ I think I'll get some electrolites just in case 
She is currently on whole milk from one if their cows, so putting her on replacer is making me a little nervous. When should she be weaned? And also how long should 1 50lb bag or replacer last? Thanks so much for letting me pick your brain
She is currently on whole milk from one if their cows, so putting her on replacer is making me a little nervous. When should she be weaned? And also how long should 1 50lb bag or replacer last? Thanks so much for letting me pick your brain
jhm47 said:
- Thread starter
- #6
jhm47
True BYH Addict
Switching from whole milk to replacer can cause lots of problems, especially when there is a change of venue involved. I'd try to get a couple gallons of milk from the people who have the calf, and begin to mix in the milk replacer gradually. Perhaps a pint of replacer the first day, a quart the second and third days, and finally a total switchover to the replacer on the fourth day. I'd still cut her ration down for a few days.
redtailgal
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2010
- Messages
- 5,369
- Reaction score
- 27
- Points
- 0
jm is spot on with that advice on switching them over.
If you cannot get milk from the farmer, get a few gallons from the grocery store. It's not as good for switching, but it is definatley easier n the system.
One other thing, when you purchase your milk replacer, I would suggest NOT getting a soybased replacer. EVERY calf I have raised on soybase ends up with some nasty scours.
Take it slow and definatly cut her back as you switch, its better to have a hungry calf than a dehydrated and dying calf.
One thing that I have always done when switching milk replacer, even when I go to a new bag of the same brand, is to add 1/2 cup plain yogurt to the mix for the first 4-5 days. I also give yogurt when they are scouring (along with scours meds)and continue it for a full week AFTER the scours have stopped. The yogurt helps balance the natural critters that live in the digestive system.
Of course, we will need pics when you get her..........
If you cannot get milk from the farmer, get a few gallons from the grocery store. It's not as good for switching, but it is definatley easier n the system.
One other thing, when you purchase your milk replacer, I would suggest NOT getting a soybased replacer. EVERY calf I have raised on soybase ends up with some nasty scours.
Take it slow and definatly cut her back as you switch, its better to have a hungry calf than a dehydrated and dying calf.
One thing that I have always done when switching milk replacer, even when I go to a new bag of the same brand, is to add 1/2 cup plain yogurt to the mix for the first 4-5 days. I also give yogurt when they are scouring (along with scours meds)and continue it for a full week AFTER the scours have stopped. The yogurt helps balance the natural critters that live in the digestive system.
Of course, we will need pics when you get her..........
- Thread starter
- #9
Ahhhh You guys rock =P Thanks so much! I never thought of getting some milk from her to do it gradually!! Awesome idea, Yogurt also a great idea! I make my own and its plain so that should do the trick. And many pics will follow as payment for you thoughts, and taking the time to point me in the right direction. Thanks sooo much Anne
- Thread starter
- #10
So would you recommend just switching to grocery store whole milk and skipping the replacer all together?
redtailgal said:jm is spot on with that advice on switching them over.
If you cannot get milk from the farmer, get a few gallons from the grocery store. It's not as good for switching, but it is definatley easier n the system.
One other thing, when you purchase your milk replacer, I would suggest NOT getting a soybased replacer. EVERY calf I have raised on soybase ends up with some nasty scours.
Take it slow and definatly cut her back as you switch, its better to have a hungry calf than a dehydrated and dying calf.
One thing that I have always done when switching milk replacer, even when I go to a new bag of the same brand, is to add 1/2 cup plain yogurt to the mix for the first 4-5 days. I also give yogurt when they are scouring (along with scours meds)and continue it for a full week AFTER the scours have stopped. The yogurt helps balance the natural critters that live in the digestive system.
Of course, we will need pics when you get her..........
