D.J. is Growing and Added some NEW Pics in first post.

[jmhappycowboy]

Quote:
Hey Robin,

Bottle raising a calf wasn't in the plans for sure but I wasn't about to just let them leave the little fellow out in the pasture to die, so therefore my plans changed and now he's in the barn. I had saw your thread about your 2 little heifers I wish this one was a heifer but it is a little bull Joe is saying we are going to name him cheeseburger

but then the calf curled up in his lap and snuggled down and went to sleep

he said ok this won't work we'll never be able to eat him if he stays like this we'll have to keep him.

I put him in a stable bedded down with plenty of hay and I think now that he took to the bottle so easily maybe we will make it ok with him. I hope your little heifers continue to improve and do well for you.

 

[Skyesrocket]

You got good advice. Calves will scour if given too much milk. It's normal for them to act like they are starving right after a bottle. A good appetite is a good thing.
Sometimes I think they need more suckling time not more milk. Feed stores actually carry calf pacifiers. I have never used one, but have seen then. Just hang out with it for company for a while after it eats.
Is it beef or dairy? Dairy calves have that starved look for the first week or so. Just keep it dry and out of drafts.
Good Luck!

 

[jmhappycowboy]

Quote:
Thanks, yes I am sure I will like have him around and yes I have a bull the farmer did not steer him, and I raised quite a few on bottles as a teenager but that was many years ago and then several years ago I had some cows but like I say its been a few years ago. LOL

 

[jmhappycowboy]

Quote:
It is a beef calf and I have it in a good dry stall bedded down with plenty of hay and no drafts so hopefully he will be ok.

 

[melody123]

I know that all the formula containers say only 2 bottles a day. But I have better luck when I divide the same about of formula over 4 feedings, during the first 1-2 weeks. Then I go down to 2 feedings with a bottle, and a partial bottle with just water in the middle of the day. (Especially in hot weather.)

 

[aggieterpkatie]

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I'm sure it probably wouldn't hurt them to add karo, but milk replacer is formulated to provide all the nutrition calves need.

 

[Katy]

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I do that when I have an extra small calf, but if they're normal size I just do the 2 bottles a day.

 

[jmhappycowboy]

Just wanted to update everyone he seems to be doing well he is still taking the bottle really well last night and again this morning all I had to do was get it near his nose and he latched on and emptied that bottle lickity split.

His flanks seemed to have filled out and he doesn't appear nearly as gaunt as he was yesterday and he is now lying down curled up asleep whenever I go to check on him. And Katy he is a regular size baby I would say he would weigh 75 to 80 lbs easily maybe even more he's a nice size baby. I will try to get pics of him later today or tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice. Oh and one more thing I did notice this morning when he finished his bottle he kinda gave a little cough and then immediately afterwards another one could that have been because he was such a pig taking the milk or could he be trying to get a cold? Is there any specific signs I should be looking for on this?

 

[jmhappycowboy]

Updated the first post with pics of DJ and the latest on how he is doing.

 

[Skyesrocket]

He looks great! Nice job!