milk replacer

seedlady · #1 04/05/08, 08:09 PM

How long do you feed milk replacer to calves before weaning them off? The two I am feeding came from the sale barn and had pneumonia but are now better. They were born around mid to end of February. Also how do you go about weaning them?? I know to reduce the amount of replacer but do you add water or reduce the water? These guys are eating about 2 quarts of ground feed a day between the two of them and a flake or two of hay. I have yet to see them drink any water from the tub though. It has been down a couple times but I don't know if they kicked it and spilled it or drank it. It has been a very long time since I did calves and well nature by virtue of age has given me the dreaded crs disease!! LOL!! So mind is not working as clear as it did 30 years ago! Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Sabrina67 · #2 04/05/08, 08:20 PM

I went by how much feed they were eating , I think it was a couple of lbs a day or so before you weaned them. I stopped the night feeding first than waited a week and stopped the morning feeding. That is just how we did it , I googled it and read a few articles that said that was how to do it. I couldn't remember either

Good luck

Bercado · #3 04/05/08, 08:51 PM

At 8 weeks we went to one bottle a day instead of two, and at 10 weeks they were cut off from milk entirely. Grain, Hay, and clean fresh water were always available from 3-4 weeks of age. ...I'd like to hear how other's do it. This was with Holstiens and worked well.

sammyd · #4 04/05/08, 10:21 PM

Basically how I do mine. 1 bag of milk replacer per calf. 50 days MOL. The last week I sometimes stretch to 1 1/2 or 2 by only feeding MR once a day.
A good starter grain available as soon as they hit the pen along with the best, softest hay I can get hold of (like a good clover timothy 2nd crop or some 3rd crop alfalfa) and water bucket cleaned out daily.

seedlady · #5 04/07/08, 06:17 AM

Thanks guys!! I am gonna start weaning next week. They will be real close to 8 weeks old then for sure. I know the one is probably 8 weeks now but the other it will be the 19th or close to it that he will be 8 weeks. Thanks for the help!!!