How to keep calves from sucking on each other?

allenslabs · #21 02/12/12, 03:00 PM

I was wondering the best way to keep one clean. I am on ValleyVet right now looking at getting one! LOL!

topside1 · #22 02/12/12, 03:32 PM

During the cool seasons I wash it once a month with bleach/soap. Rinse daily with a garden hose. During the hot season I wash once a week and rinse daily with a garden hose. Just so you know the black nipples are made unlike any other nipple on the market, read about the nipples whenever you have time....Topside

allenslabs · #23 02/12/12, 04:17 PM

So, when I pour the milk in, milk won't come falling out of them will they? Are the nipples hard to clean?

topside1 · #24 02/12/12, 05:56 PM

Like I mentioned earlier, just a mixture of bleach/soap/water once a week of once a month. No real cleaning, just let the mixture sit and kill the germs. No real scrubbing of the bar or the nipples. Soak, rinse and use.....Topside

allenslabs · #25 02/12/12, 07:01 PM

Awesome! Should be here within 3-10 business days! LOL!

myersfarm · #26 02/12/12, 07:45 PM

Do NOT use a brush in the nipples. It has a flap in the nipple that hold the hole shut if tear it out it will leak. I replace all nipples after two sets of calves Replacement will be up to u I have used on 5 sets before. But if they leak bad the calf sucking will get to much milk

allenslabs · #27 02/12/12, 09:16 PM

Good to know. I just have the three calves right now but think it will be handy as I plan on rotating two out every month. I have one that is about 9 weeks old right now and just bought two friday that were between 4 and 7 days of age. I told him to call me in a month when he has two more and I will rotate out the older one and put in two more. Hope this works out good. The one calf is HUGE! I can tell he's new baby young but still...poor cow that pushed him out. THe other one is the size he should be. LOL! Both seem to be doing good to my happiness.

allenslabs · #28 02/15/12, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestion all!! Found one on Valleyvet.com and ordered it on monday and it got here today (2 days later regular cheap shipping). Was around $75 including shipping and I wish I had known of these things sooner!! Never put much thought into how people raised so many calves!! LOL! They all ate (3 of them) and it took a long time really. After they were done I put about a quart of warm water like suggested and after they were empty I think their little mouths were tired cause they sure didn't bother each other. Best $75 I have spent in a long time! THanks guys!

myersfarm · #29 02/15/12, 12:59 PM

I use a quart for 5 calves. Might cut that down a little Glad you like them. Do not make nipple hole bigger. Does not matter how long it takes for them to suck down.

topside1 · #30 02/15/12, 04:32 PM

As I mentioned earlier those nipples are special, like Myers mentioned leave them alone.....Glad you're happy.

myersfarm · #31 02/15/12, 04:45 PM

here is mine it makes it so much easier with one Milkbar to one pen

How to keep calves from sucking on each other? - Cattle

allenslabs · #32 02/15/12, 05:40 PM

Oh I won't touch the hole on them. I figured they were made to work when I got them and for a reason. It did help with the sucking reflex wonderfully today. I was so impressed. Even the one that is almost two months old ate with the other 2 that are only a week or so old without a problem!! Love it. Will try to post a pic of them here in a few. Hoping to wean the bigger one in about 3 weeks and then start bringing in 2 each month and weaning 2 each month. Hoping....big word but still...hoping. LOL!

allenslabs · #33 02/15/12, 05:41 PM

Geez myers....you feed a bunch of them huh? LOL! Props to ya!! I have the one dairy cow and then a heifer that is jers/angus and then a beef cow. Been thinking of selling the beef cow cause I just enjoy this so much more. LOL!

allenslabs · #34 02/15/12, 05:48 PM

Here they are. The middle one is a jersey that is about 8 weeks old. The other 2 are less than 2 weeks old.

myersfarm · #35 02/15/12, 07:18 PM

ALLENS YES I do I milk 20 cows in a 3 stall milking barn and take that milk and feed 90 calfs at a time and do it 3 times then dry them up and raise the 270 calfs.....could not do it without Milkbars....A lady in New Zealand show me pictures and I started looking and found them 10 years ago....I wanted to thank the lady that showed them to me so I named My new Border Collie puppy after her 1 1/2 ago Midge....

myersfarm · #36 02/15/12, 07:21 PM

Waht i like best about them is with your big one and the two small ones I bet the big one is not gettting that much MORE MILK than the small ones..because of the hole......I can not wait till you ask HOW TO REPLACE THE NIPPLES LOL LOL

allenslabs · #37 02/15/12, 07:52 PM

LOL! Oh man....hard to do? LOL! Oh boy. It said every 8 to 10 weeks to replace them. I am guessing you don't just yank them out? LOL!
I thought that too. Seemed like the milk would have had to have come out at the same rate of speed as with the smaller ones.

topside1 · #38 02/15/12, 08:12 PM

Taking the old nipples out is easy...Help putting the new nipples in will be the title of your next thread...Myers is probably still laughing....Topside

myersfarm · #39 02/15/12, 08:40 PM

NOW. Topside. You know me. I will still be laughing next week

allenslabs · #40 02/15/12, 09:22 PM

LOL! You all give me so much hope!! LOL!