grass fed orphan

[.netDude]

For those that run grass fed beef, do you start your bottle calves on calf starter grain at all? If not, how long do you use milk replacer?

[Ronney]

It's probably not absolutely necessary despite what the pundits say, but yes I do give my bottle fed calves starter meal/grain but not huge amounts of it. They live in a paddock with provided shelter right from the word go so have access to grass and milk in much the same way as they would if they were on a cow, the only difference being that they can't nip in and out for a quick slurp in the way they would if they were on a cow.

Normally, I start weaning at around 8 weeks old and for me weaning is a gradual process with a reduction in morning feeds to begin with and when they are down to half, I start reducing the evening feeds. At the same time I start to increase the amount of calf meal and once weaning is completed they get moved on to good pasture and I stop the calf meal.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[collegeboundgal]

kinda' like ronney, but I've got my calves on twice a day feeding till 6 weeks then switch to once a day for two more weeks. I try and keep alfalfa pellets out full time and give grain starting at around 3 weeks (just a handfull per calf).

[.netDude]

Thanks for the replies!