Weaning Bottle Calves

[flyingS]

How old do you let your calves get to wean them and what do you start them on? We usually try to start them on a grain mix when they are a month or so old, once they are eating really well we put them on a self feeder and stop bottle feeding. What works for you all?

 

[Denny]

We fed ours around 2 months had fresh water,hay and full feed from day one they are on grass and full feed now. The last bag of milk replacer was fed as once a day feeding until the bag was empty then they were done.

 

[Hay Feeder]

I learned this method from one of my former students
Use the very best milk based replacer
Get calves drinking out of 2 1/2 gal pails soon
When you are ready to start weaning thin down the milk in the pail gradually as you increase high protein grain and hay
At some point the milk will taste just like his water and just give him grain when you feed. Before long calf will not want Paul anymore but want his sweeter grain