Emma
Well-known member
A first calf heifer gave birth this morning in a snow storm. When we found the calf it hadn't been cleaned or claimed. I took it inside, fed it colostrum, warmed & dried it while the farmhand sorted out the heifer it belongs to.
I have both mom & her calf alone in the shed now but she won't have anything to do with it. She wants a week-old calf that belongs to another cow. I just put her in the squeeze chute and milked her and got the calf to drink about 1 cup of the milk tho it wasn't very interested.
The calf is up and walking well, even exploring the shed. So far it seems healthy.
Question: If the heifer never claims her calf, or until she does, and I have to bottle raise it, how often does it need to eat and how much should it have each mealtime? Thanks for any advice you can offer.
I have both mom & her calf alone in the shed now but she won't have anything to do with it. She wants a week-old calf that belongs to another cow. I just put her in the squeeze chute and milked her and got the calf to drink about 1 cup of the milk tho it wasn't very interested.
The calf is up and walking well, even exploring the shed. So far it seems healthy.
Question: If the heifer never claims her calf, or until she does, and I have to bottle raise it, how often does it need to eat and how much should it have each mealtime? Thanks for any advice you can offer.