age difference in calves?

ticklersgoats · #1 04/21/09, 07:24 PM

I have two holstien calves and want to get a jersey bull calf but the farmer will not have one available for another week or so, my calves are 5 days old right now, will 2 weeks or so be to much of an age gap to raise them together?

also i saw my heifer nibbling on some grain tonight the farmer told me to put it in with them right away, is it ok for her to be eating grain so soon?

Thank you,

TSYORK · #2 04/21/09, 07:40 PM

It won't hurt in the least; a couple of weeks is not that big of a deal. If we were talking a few months it would be a different story. Actually, the older calves might help the newer ones to try the grain, grass, and hay a little sooner than if they were on their own. Good Luck!

ticklersgoats · #3 04/21/09, 07:54 PM

ok thnks

topside1 · #4 04/21/09, 08:05 PM

Buy your Jersey when available, TSYORK he's is spot on...

Jan in CO · #5 04/21/09, 08:06 PM

We have two holstein calves that are six weeks old, and an angus calf that was born two weeks ago. They are all eating together, the holsteins watched and ate with the mother cow, and all is well. We weren't sure she would still tolerate them when her calf was born, but she seems to think they are part of the herd and ok. I think yours will be fine. Jan in Co

genebo · #6 04/21/09, 08:40 PM

I have a December 20 calf and a January 13 calf running together. They are so devoted to each other!

Genebo
Paradise Farm

Ronney · #7 04/22/09, 06:24 AM

I'm weaning a calf born in late January that is in with two calves born two weeks ago. All are being hand reared and the young ones are learning to eat grain because they are interested in what the older one is nibbling on. It more often works out well to have mixed age calves running together.

Cheers,
Ronnie