Bottle calves and water

[Kettle Creek Cattle]

Good evening all,

Question for all you cattle minded people. Currently raising a bottle calf. She's going on 6 weeks old. Everything about her seems a ok. She gets 2 bottles a day with the exception of the past few days, she's been getting an extra quart at night cause its been down in the single digits. She's eating some calf starter and mixed grass hay free choice. I just put a trace mineral block in her stall. My concern is that she doesn't seem to be drinking a lot of water. I even have a heated 5 gallon bucket in her stall. Is this cause for concern? Is there anything I should be doing to encourage more water intake, or is this normal? Thanks!

 

[Grant]

Sounds like she’s drinking some. With the milk it’s probably fine. She’ll drink more as she gets older.

 

[farmerjan]

If she is peeing, if her eyes are bright and clear, if her manure is firm but not like hard horse turds, she is drinking what she needs. She will increase her water intake as she increases her solid food intake. By adding a full bottle for the colder weather, she does not need alot more liquid yet.

 

[Kettle Creek Cattle]

10-4, got it!