week old calf refuses to drink MR, HELP - Homesteading Today
You are Unregistered, please register to use all of the features of Homesteading Today!    
Homesteading Today

Go Back   Homesteading Today > Livestock Forums > Cattle
Reload this Page

week old calf refuses to drink MR, HELP

Register FAQ / TOS/ Rules Calendar

Cattle For Those Who Like To Have A Cow.


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 07/03/10, 08:05 AM
stormywood's Avatar  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Wood Family Farm in Arkansas
Posts: 312
Unhappy week old calf refuses to drink MR, HELP
He will take an electrolyte or gator aide bottle, but out and out refuses to drink milk replacer. I'm going nuts here. Any suggestions? I don't want him dehydradated or scouring. I'm worried that he is not getting enough nutrition.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07/03/10, 08:32 AM
Callieslamb's Avatar  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SW Michigan
Posts: 16,408
Mix regular milk with it for a while? Add some molasses?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07/03/10, 11:02 AM
topside1's Avatar
Retired Coastie
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,651
What was he drinking before you bought him? Did you buy soy based MR? Soy based MR, barely tastes like milk. Is this the first calf you have raisied? I'd quit doing what your doing and let him get hungry, real hungry and I'd bet he'll drink the MR...Of course I'm not there...Topside
__________________
TOPSIDE FARMS
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07/03/10, 11:49 AM
sammyd's Avatar  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Central WI
Posts: 5,390
I'm with topside on this....some MRs will be so offensive to the calf they will not drink them.
My very first 2 calves didn't drink a bottle for 2 days.....I had to get a different MR in to get them to drink. My "cheap" bag of MR wasn't so cheap after I realized nobody would drink it......
__________________
Deja Moo; The feeling I've heard this bull before.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07/03/10, 06:24 PM
francismilker's Avatar
Udderly Happy!
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,830
Just keep it hydrated. If that means feeding it electrolytes with a very small amount of MR mixed in, so be it. Don't let the calf get dehydrated.
__________________
Francismilker

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07/03/10, 08:11 PM
topside1's Avatar
Retired Coastie
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,651
Well, what's new?
__________________
TOPSIDE FARMS
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07/06/10, 08:45 AM
JR05's Avatar  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mid-West Missouri
Posts: 434
Have you got anyone around you that has a milk cow, will they give you some milk? Or someone with milk goats? If not go to the store and get a gallon of milk, see if he will drink that, if so then the mr is the problem. If you were closer you could come and get some milk from me as I have dairy cow and goats, so plenty of milk. We raise all our calves on goats milk. Never had a problem with scours or refusal. Good luck, keep us informed.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07/11/10, 05:34 AM
stormywood's Avatar  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Wood Family Farm in Arkansas
Posts: 312
Calf is doing well, taking 2 mr bottles now. Had a slight scours problem, got it cleared up. He is now full of ---- and vinegar. Thanks for everyones help. By the way our MR is not cheap, we buy Land O lakes at $60.00 for 50 lbs.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07/11/10, 06:49 AM
topside1's Avatar
Retired Coastie
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,651
What do you think made the calf start drinking the MR? What's your guess? Topside
__________________
TOPSIDE FARMS
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07/11/10, 07:42 AM
stormywood's Avatar  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Wood Family Farm in Arkansas
Posts: 312
Slowly got his system use to it, so no belly ache. Then I would say HUNGER! Followed your advice, thanks! ~hugs~
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07/11/10, 07:52 AM
topside1's Avatar
Retired Coastie
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,651
Glad all is well...Topside
__________________
TOPSIDE FARMS
Reply With Quote
Reply


« Previous Thread | Next Thread »


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:03 AM.
Contact Us - Homesteading Today - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top - ©Carbon Media Group Agriculture