Feeding Baby Calf

[marciallopez]

I just bought a baby calf no older than a week. I have been feeding him powder milk on a 2 qt bottle. He drinks about two bottles twice a day.

The problem is that he has diarreah. I subtituted his milk with a mix for the runs and he was fine until this morning when I fed him milk again. Now I see traces of blood in the feces.

Any sugestions ?????

[JeffNY]

Give him 30CC orally of cayopectate, reduce the amount of milk fed to 3/4 bottle twice a day, or so. Observe and see how he does.


Also as far as the cayopectate goes, do that once, or you could bind him up with too much. Usually one dose does the trick.


Jeff

[agmantoo]

I just bought a baby calf no older than a week. I have been feeding him powder milk on a 2 qt bottle. He drinks about two bottles twice a day.

From your statement above I decipher that the calf is getting two bottles consisting of 2 quarts each at each feeding and you are feeding the calf 2 times a day so that equates to two gallons per day. Is this correct? If so you are feeding the animal too much. A two quart bottle per feeding and feeding twice per day is preferred and will reduce the scour problem.

[marciallopez]

Thanks to both of you for your help. I will follow your sugestions and I will let you know in a couple days.

[Freeholder]

What exactly are you feeding? You said powder milk -- do you mean powdered calf milk replacer? Or powdered milk from the store, meant for humans? If the latter, don't! That is skim milk, and baby animals NEED some fat in their diet!

Do you know if this calf ever got colostrum from it's mother? And is there any possibility of getting goat milk for it, rather than feeding it the powdered stuff?

Kathleen

[marciallopez]

is not milk replacer and no, I cannot get goat milk. Where can I buy milk replacer ?
Just got it from the auction and they did not tell me anything about the calf.

[cowgirlracer]

You can buy calf milk replacer at your local feed store. Do it right away, your calf needs this, and you may want to get the medicated kind. I would follow the instructions on the back of the bag, or maybe a little weaker formula for the first day or two. Also you may want to get some electrolite replacer to mix in with your calf milk replacer, and do this for a few days. I know with goats you can give them some yogurt with their bottle to help settle their stomach and restore the PH, maybe someone more knowledgable about cattle can comment on the yogurt. While you're at the feed store you should probably get some colostrum replacer too. It can't hurt. Good luck and let us know how you two make out.

Anne
Cowgirlracer

[savinggrace]

Can you get any colostrum milk or even just raw milk from a dairy?

Def. go with the calf mix, there is also something that comes in a bucket called 'milk treat' for calves, baby goats, ect. that contains probiotics.

Good luck!

[tyusclan]

Colostrum is not going to be of any benefit at this point. It has to be fed within the first 24 hours of birth, preferably the first 12.

[marciallopez]

Guys, awesome !!!!! Follow all your suggestions and the baby calf, I name him Chucky, is doing great !!!!!
Thank you very much to all of you. Could not had done it without you guys.

[marciallopez]

Update on Chucky. He is getting big and now weights about 130lbs. Thanks again.

[mpillow]

I made a paste of probios and baking soda when my boy came to the farm and was runny butt put on the back of his tongue....I did the "Deliver" electrolytes (gatorade will work) for a couple days....we named him "lucky" as in lucky to be alive he's getting 1 q milk mixed with 1 q water 3times a day at 11 days old