water for a new calf?

[Tiffin]

Another new calf owner question: Does a little calf need water? If so, how? What kind of container that calf and mom won't tip over or worse? Perhaps her milk is enough liquid for now. What age would the calf require water?

[Karin L]

A calf's "water" is the milk from its momma until it's weaned. Though calves will go and investigate the water tank that his momma is drinking from for a little taste. By the time they are near weaning age I believe they are already taking in water, as well as milk. Weaning is usually at 5 to 6 months of age.

[Up North]

If calf is being raised by it's mother - like beef cow/calf situation, no additional water needed. If calf is being raised by a human feeding it milk, a bucket of clean water should be provided. For our dairy calves in hutches, they have water available from 3 days old on, in addition to their 2X daily milk feedings.

[Tiffin]

Thank you so much, I feel so much better. Worry, worry, that's what I do.