New animals, What do you do upon arrival?

[desertshi]

When ya'll buy new calves, what is your common practice. What kinds of injections, if any. Beginning new feeding regimin to match your own, how do you go about it.

I am curious to see how people approach this!

[valcwby01]

Hello deserhi, hope things go well with the new goat. PM me if you have any questions. Here with new calves, as with any new livestock, we isolate. Feed grass, and introduce alfalfa or grain slowly. We also worm, vaccinate, and brand. Clean water at ALL times, and then just watch, to keep an eye on everyone. First 72 hours is critical as we watch for shipping fever and any other syptom of someone getting sick. Sick animal is IMMEDIATELY isolated in a "nursing" pen with shelter.

[francismilker]

If they're a bottle calf they get 3cc's of Baytril and started on a strict feeding regimen as outlined in a "sticky" post called "Salebarn bottle calves". If they're closer to weining weight I worm them, castrate, dehorn, vaccinate, and turn em' loose.

[desertshi]

Originally Posted by valcwby01

Hello deserhi, hope things go well with the new goat. PM me if you have any questions. Here with new calves, as with any new livestock, we isolate. Feed grass, and introduce alfalfa or grain slowly. We also worm, vaccinate, and brand. Clean water at ALL times, and then just watch, to keep an eye on everyone. First 72 hours is critical as we watch for shipping fever and any other syptom of someone getting sick. Sick animal is IMMEDIATELY isolated in a "nursing" pen with shelter.

Hi there, thanks for your good wishes. However, the goats were already sold when I went to go look at them to make my final decision!! :banana02: Got that headache of a decision off my shoulders. Thank you for your help!!

About the calves. We ended up getting two new calves yesterday instead! lol. Actually, we were going to get them anyways. THe goats were the surprise decision.

We are not new to calves, but as I posted in another thread, the one a cousin gave us about two months ago seems to be stunted! I don't want that to happen with these two heifer calves and want to make sure I do it all right.

Does everyone give grain to their growing heifer calves everyday? If so, how much?

[travlnusa]

I isolate EVERY new critter that arrives on the farm. I do this for a few reasons.

1) Watch and learn what is "normal" for that animal.
2) Watch for illness,etc
3) Get critter to understand that this is now home. Once bought a heifer that decided to find its way back were she came from.

As far as feeding grain, I will give a touch of grain to all the cows every 3-4 days. Just enough for them to get a good taste of it. This way when I need to round them up, I bring out the bucket and they will follow me to the end of time. Other than that, if they can not thrive on pasture/hay, they head out.

I do grain the feeders steers I raise. My goal is to get them to 350lbs as quickly as I can on the mix I make up.