Thoughts on this calf’s confirmation

[CaliFarmsAR]

Is she still on her mom? I would up it a bit; they say that at least 2% of body weight so if she weighs 300 lbs that would be 6 lbs... and the general weights are "a pints's a pound"... and there are 2 cups per pint.... so i would think that you could go to a gallon at least... maybe as much as double what you are feeding, per day. Also, my choice would be a higher protein... 14-16%. Calves get more of their needs met with a higher protein feed .... and will convert it to body growth and weight. 12% is maintenance... I always fed mine a 14% calf feed and they got about a gallon bucket a day...for starters.
For example, I have 9 coming in the barn now, 3-5 months old, 3 are weaned off cows that were very poor milkers...6 are on their momma's... they are getting a 5 gallon bucket a day. The 6 on the cows are fat and sassy, the other 3 are starting to put on a little weight... but don't look that great. There is plenty of good grass... the 3 should be getting about 3+ gallons of feed a day but it is hard to separate them out so I try to just feed extra when they are in the feed trough and sorta keep the others away from them during the feeding. It is a 14% calf feed.
I would try upping her feed a little at a time for a week or 2 and then try to find a little higher protein feed.
I wouldn't clip her with the cold weather coming on unless you want to just try a little bit so that she gets used to the clippers. Let her get all wooly so that her hair will help retain her body heat. The higher amount of protein will also help her... and you could give her a little cracked or rolled or even whole corn which would give her more energy which puts on some fat and helps to keep her warm. At her age, too fat is NOT a concern.

She is still on her mom, but her mom doesn’t make much milk, so she mostly is growing off hay, grass, and feed. She started eating hay and feed when she was about 1-2 weeks. Now she is 3 months. I will look into a higher protein feed and feed her a lot more, what do you feed your calves? Although, when I give her more feed, she doesn’t want to eat it all, that’s why I ended up giving her a little less.

 

[Stephine]

The headline made me crack up! Did she learn her bible verses?
I know it’s an easy typo to make…

 

[farmerjan]

If the cow doesn't make much milk then that is unfortunately a big strike against her. The whole purpose of a beef cow is to make milk so the calf will grow and get real good flesh on it. Your calf is being starved of the nutrients it should be getting from the cow. That is in part why her coat is not slick and shiny.
I would get the calf a higher protein feed either 14 or 16% ... feed up to double what you are feeding her and try to cut back on the hay a little so she will eat more of the grain. I would also consider weaning her off early and just feeding the calf what she needs... she is not getting the nutrition that she needs. They will eat more hay to "fill up the empty feeling"....but she will not get enough nutrition that way. Or you could separate the calf for 12 hours at a time, hopefully she will want more feed, then when she goes on the cow she will get a good "feeding of milk"... but she is getting more nutrition from the grain. That will also make weaning alot easier if she is used to being by herself... or maybe with a 2nd calf for company?

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

If the cow doesn't make much milk then that is unfortunately a big strike against her. The whole purpose of a beef cow is to make milk so the calf will grow and get real good flesh on it. Your calf is being starved of the nutrients it should be getting from the cow. That is in part why her coat is not slick and shiny.
I would get the calf a higher protein feed either 14 or 16% ... feed up to double what you are feeding her and try to cut back on the hay a little so she will eat more of the grain. I would also consider weaning her off early and just feeding the calf what she needs... she is not getting the nutrition that she needs. They will eat more hay to "fill up the empty feeling"....but she will not get enough nutrition that way. Or you could separate the calf for 12 hours at a time, hopefully she will want more feed, then when she goes on the cow she will get a good "feeding of milk"... but she is getting more nutrition from the grain. That will also make weaning alot easier if she is used to being by herself... or maybe with a 2nd calf for company?

Ok, thank you! I do plan to get her in a higher protein, she does actually have a pretty thick coat, it’s been cold here so she’s not shiny do you the winter coat she is getting in

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Also, yes, we have a second calf that she will be weaned with

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Her today, she keeps putting all her head weight in the halter, she won’t hold her head up too well, is there away I can get her to start holding her head?

 

[farmerjan]

I have no idea how to help you with making her hold her head up higher. I think these pictures make her look nicer than the first ones you posted... so she is "looking better" than she did in my opinion. She seems very agreeable to being haltered so I think that just some time working with her will improve her stance....

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

I have no idea how to help you with making her hold her head up higher. I think these pictures make her look nicer than the first ones you posted... so she is "looking better" than she did in my opinion. She seems very agreeable to being haltered so I think that just some time working with her will improve her stance....

Okay, thank you

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Update: I have been working with her everyday, tie up time, walking, trailer loading, brushing, etc.
She is such a good girl, I’m happy with how she is coming along

 

[farmerjan]

Congrats on the working with her and her doing good. I think she looks a little more proportioned and not so leggy so she must be growing and filling out more. It is great that you enjoy working with her so much. She will be a real pet.... then she will hit her "teenage years" (equivalent) and you will say, OMG what happened to that sweet little calf... much the same as parents say about their teenage daughters !!!!Sorry, I couldn't resist that... Just please do not get upset if she goes through a rebellious or a STUBBORN stage....
Whatever you do, do not let her get away with bad behavior... You are the boss and you don't have to be a mean boss... but when she gets to be 2-3-5x your weight and size, she needs to always think of you as the boss and she is your next best buddy... not to do what she wants when she wants to. You'll know when the time comes... and for some it never does. I am hoping that she will always have this nice sweet disposition she seems to have now. I had one that could make me threaten her with a "permanent once in a lifetime job at McDonalds", at least once a week; and I had one that was a sweetheart from calf to old age... she never was mean or hurtful... a little stubborn on occasion. They can show some real individual personalities just like people.