Raising calves on goat milk

[Vumani]

I have a small herd of dairy goats that supply us more milk than we need. My brother-in-law is a cow dairy farmer and has suggested I raise a bull calf or two using the excess milk from the goats. If feeding goat milk to the calf does the milk still need to be diluted with water or could I give it to him straight? Would the ration size need to change?

 

[redtailgal]

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2952-bottle-calves

The above page talks about raising calves on replacer, but I would follow the same method using goat milk instead of the replacer and ease up to full strength. Goat milk is a little richer than cow milk and a baby could scour if your not careful.

Other than that, I think goat milk for a calf would be just fine (certainly better than replacer).

 

[Vumani]

That is perfect, exactly what I needed. Thank you.

 

[peteyfoozer]

We didn't dilute it.

 

[redtailgal]

OH MY GOODNESS! That is adorable!

PIC of the week thread material!!!!

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

We didn't dilute it.


http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/peteyfoozer/IMG_0323.jpg

You gotta do what you gotta do!

 

[Vumani]

That's awesome! That way I don't have to worry about getting the milk out in the first place!

 

[Lothiriel]

I LOVE IT!!

That's just downright adorable. Vumani, you should definitely try that, if one of your does will let the calf nurse!

 

[Sunny & the 5 egg layers]

That is so CUTE!

 

[Royd Wood]

That has to be the best pic I've seen on here - just fantastic - maybe we should have a goat or two as my kids keep begging.