Feeding a Pending New Addition-Calf

[farmmaid]

Hubby and I are finally getting the new homestead settled, for us and the critters. In about ten days we will be adding a Jersey bull calf to our family. Neighbor has Jerseys due and hoping one is a bull. I have weaned my Nubian's kids yesterday and she is giving LOTS of creamy milk.

Question: At 4 days old, how much goat's milk to give the calf TOTAL in a day? I have understood that the goats milk should be deluted 1/2 and 1/2 with water, true? So I guess a better question would be, how much fluid does the calf need per day (1/2 milk and 1/2 water)? For the 1st week, 2nd, 3rd. etc.

We have tried to time the weaning of our kids to the birth of the Jerseys, LOTS to figure up last year! The last 2 Nubian does will have their kids weaned in 3 weeks, so a second calf might be added also.

Thank you to all, it has been YEARS, 20+, since our boys had 4-H calves...Joan

[Ronney]

Joan, I have never reared a calf on goats milk but whatever you do, don't water down any milk given to a lamb, calf or kid - it buggers up their ability to digest it.

When I buy in 4 day old calves I start them off on two feeds a day of 1 litre each (about 2 pints), gradually lifting it over the next week or so until they reach 2.5 litres per feed per day. Any more than that and they start scouring. My calves are also on grass from the very beginning and at a week old I start offering them calf meal.

Try this with the goats milk, you can always add or detract if it doesn't seem right and in the meantime somebody who has reared calves on goat milk may have more clues.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[jerzeygurl]

2 quarts 2 times a day,tops undiluted

if 3 times a day no more than 1 1/2 qrts tops

i cant answer as to the goat milk and dilution