How much to bottle feed...

[Genevieve M.]

We had a 1/4 Angus 1/4 unknown dairy breed 1/2 jersey heifer born 2 weeks ago.

She has been on the bottle since birth. right now, we are giving her 4 feedings a day of 1 1/2 quarts of her mother's milk.

She is very strong, and growing without any problems. When do we increase milk amount at each feeding and drop down to 3 feedings a day?

[francismilker]

IMHO, you're feeding calf too much at this point already. I'm really surprised something potentially that small (1/2 jersey) isn't scouring with that kind of milk intake. Usually, jersey calves are given 1-1/2 qts. twice daily until they are a couple of weeks old.

But hey, if she's taking it without scouring I'd say you're on the right track! I usually only give increases of a pint at a time for about a week and then add more gradually. I never get over 2-1/2 to 3qts. per feeding depending on the calf and only if it's something like a "keeper" heifer that I decide to bottle feed longer than the standard 2 months.

[topside1]

If your feeding program is working why change it? Three feedings is fine, sound like the calf is well fed..Topside