calf advice, please?

cathleenc · #1 02/05/09, 05:20 PM

we're getting a jersey/holstein calf in May. Our neighbors, dairy farmers, ai'd one of their jersey/holstein heifers with old world jersey semen for us. We're excited and of course, hoping it'll be a heifer.

So - I keep reading how jerseys are so challenging to raise as newborns. Getting a little nervous!

My neighbors would GLADLY give (aka dump) a jersey bull calf (or several) on us at any time. They will help me raise the ai calf - or any calf - to the extent that they are able. They are close by (1/2 mile), we both use the same excellent vet, and they are maybe even more excited about the ai calf than we are. I can get colustrum at will from them. Can buy fresh milk at bulk prices. By May, when our calf is born, we'll have excess milk from out dairy goats. They will hold my hand, support me, and tolerate my frantic calls.

Should I practice on a bull calf first?

I don't want a bull calf. I know myself well enough to know that I am going to probably love jersey calves and going to have to struggle a bit raising the calf for slaughter. I do raise poultry, rabbits, sheep and goats for slaughter - but those are not 'single' animals. Singles are hard to forget. Rabbits that are all black and look identical are hard to remember.

What do you think? What would you advise? I don't want to lose any animal, practice run or no. I'd rather just start with the ai calf - and not lose her. But I would be so sad if the ai calf was a heifer and I did lose her....

so - what to do?
thanks!
Cathy

Dodgegal79 · #2 02/05/09, 05:45 PM

I don't think you need to practice. Jersey are no different, I have had better luck with them then with holstein calves as newborns. I had a dairy farmer tell me that heifers are easier to raise then bull calves anyways, they have more fight in them.

topside1 · #3 02/05/09, 05:47 PM

What's the difference between raising a heifer or bull calf? Sounds like you have plenty of local seasoned support, so wait on the AI'ed calf as planned....I'm sure you'll be an excellent calf mom....Topside

Cotton Picker · #4 02/05/09, 07:09 PM

Hi Cathy,

Strange isn't it? With dairy cattle we are nearly always hoping for a heifer. Here's my best wishes to you as well, that the calf will be of the fairer sex.

If I had the access to goat and bovine milk, as well as the cheap calves you do, I wouldn't be opposed to raising bull calves. The experience will do you good.

If you are opposed to eating them you could check out what weaner/feeder calves are selling for in your local market. Perhaps that would set better with your sensitivities. If there is no demand for them, from say 3 to 500 lbs, it might not behoove you to attempt it.

I would then venture to ask you about the availability of day old dairy heifers in your area. There seems to always be a decent demand for springing heifers, (see opening comment).

Then there is always the possibility of volunteering some time at your friendly neigbor's farm assisting with their bottle babies.

I have not used it myself as yet, however, from what I understand there is some value in feeding supplemental rennet to young calves. I have also heard that goat milk is easier for calves to digest.

I would say that you are in a very good situation to raise calves and experiment with rearing methods. Keep 'em clean, dry and avoid drafts. Invest in a good thermometer and give it a shot.

Remember, FEAR is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real and CAN'T is an acronym for Certainly Are Not Trying.

Happy Trails.

lasergrl · #5 02/05/09, 07:13 PM

If the calf gets colastrum you are already ahead. Also if you can raise it on fresh whole milk you probably wont have much trouble. Its the milk replacer that seems to get them, and the stress of being at auctions and exposed to the disease. Calves right off the farm do great usually.

samm · #6 02/05/09, 09:14 PM

you will love it..... we raise beef cattle, but we pick up bottle babies from the sale barn, bulls calves are way cheaper than the heifers. but we did pick up a heifer last summer, she had a big abcessed place in her hip probably from a vaccination, didnt notice it till she started to smell, the next day,anyhow we will see if she will breed this fall..(i am very excited) we mostly get holstien, but have jerseys too. the colostrum is the most important thing to get in them, i imagine your friends at the dairy will see to that. when you buy the milk replacer, be sure it is whey based..not soy. i put an egg and a big tble spoon of yogurt in every bottle for the first several weeks. just having one to tend to will make it alot easier to manage. best of luck...you are going to be hooked....its like lays potatoe chips, ya cant just have one.....lol samm

Anderson farms · #7 02/06/09, 06:10 AM

It sounds like you have a lot of resources so I'm sure you will do fine. You are already ahead as you won't be getting it from a sale barn where you have no idea what it has been exposed and if it got colostrum or not. We have raised a few bottle calves in the past few years, mostly hostein bull calves that we got from a local dairy and haven't lost one. This past december my dh bought me a jersey x heifer. She was the smallest
calf we have ever raised, but she is the strongest spunkiest calf we have ever had. She had a small bout with scours, but we only have access to milk replacer. you should do really well using goats milk. it is supposed to be easier for them to digest. If you are not want a bull for slaughter I agree that you should wait for ai calf. Good luck to you and I hope you get a heifer!

cathleenc · #8 02/06/09, 12:02 PM

oh, thanks for reassuring me, everyone.... I guess I forgot how different it is to get a well cared for calf with all the right resources/support compared to rolling the dice at an auction. I kept reading about how challenging jersey calves are and just panicked!

I'm going to wait for the ai calf as planned. And sleep well while waiting

Cathy