Well the bottle calf is growing like a waterweed. And yes, I am his mamma.
I think I have started him on some feed but what a job getting him to take the first feed. I poured Molasses on the feed and on his nose. Then I put some of the molasses feed in his mouth. That was sure a wrestling match until he started sucking the feed and molasses off my fingers. By the end, we were both coated with molasses.
The next morning the calf was licked clean. I guess the cows thought he tasted sweet. I think this may have gotten him started sucking a heifer that lost her calf. I went out to feed him last night and he was plugged in getting some dinner. When he saw me, he stopped sucking and ran toward me for the bottle but I would not feed him. I also did not feed him this morning even though he was sure hungry. If he is balling this afternoon, I think I had better give him a bottle.
It looks like I found a new way to graft a calf. Just keep him coated in molasses and the cows will think he is such a sweet baby they all want to keep him. LOL
I think I have started him on some feed but what a job getting him to take the first feed. I poured Molasses on the feed and on his nose. Then I put some of the molasses feed in his mouth. That was sure a wrestling match until he started sucking the feed and molasses off my fingers. By the end, we were both coated with molasses.
The next morning the calf was licked clean. I guess the cows thought he tasted sweet. I think this may have gotten him started sucking a heifer that lost her calf. I went out to feed him last night and he was plugged in getting some dinner. When he saw me, he stopped sucking and ran toward me for the bottle but I would not feed him. I also did not feed him this morning even though he was sure hungry. If he is balling this afternoon, I think I had better give him a bottle.
It looks like I found a new way to graft a calf. Just keep him coated in molasses and the cows will think he is such a sweet baby they all want to keep him. LOL