Milk Replacer

highlandview · #1 04/23/10, 04:03 PM

What is the best brand of milk replacer to bottle fed jersey calves with? Do I need other supplements?

topside1 · #2 04/23/10, 04:25 PM

The best brand is the most expensive one...There are so many brands, just buy one without soy products in it...The best is all real milk powder plus minor other ingredients. Plan on spending around $60. I have a bag of the best and would be happy to copy the ingredients for you if you'd like...I remember that you are buying month old calves, why not feed your new calves exactly what the seller was feeding them.....Topside.

jBlaze · #3 04/23/10, 04:37 PM

Best to stick with what they are getting.
next choice, Goat Milk!

Callieslamb · #4 04/23/10, 08:21 PM

Get the one with the highest fat content. I can't remember if it is 18 or 20%. They won't do as well on the MR with 12-14%.

springvalley · #5 04/23/10, 08:55 PM

To bad your not closer to me Highland, I`d sell you real milk for about the same as the MR. I never buy MR, only the real stuff for my calves. Don`t over feed your calves, how old are they. Thats how most people kill their calves with scours. two pints a feeding for the first week, then you can start uping the amount a little each week. Good luck > Marc

travlnusa · #6 04/24/10, 06:31 AM

Look at the tag and find one that is 20% protein and 20% fat. As said before make sure it is a milk based product rather than soy. Also at that age you should intoduce them to calf starter feed. After each MR feeding take a bit of the starter grain and let them suck it off your fingers. Leave about 1/4-1/3 lb for them to play with. Let them have as much grain as they will eat.

Also make sure they have a bucket of clean water. Again let them drink the water free choice.

I try to have my calves weaned off of MR and on full grain by week 5.