When/how to wean calves

[stifflej]

Ok, so I have 3 "bottle" calves now, I bought 2 yesterday. I will give brief description of each, and you can tell me what your thoughts are on when and how to start weaning them. The bag of milk replacer says to start to wean when they eat 2lbs of grain a day for 3 consecutive days. I will be monitoring the new two very closely to see if they eat this much grain.

6 week old Hereford heifer, born on my homestead, had to pull cause mom was in to poor condition to feed her. I have cut down her morning bottle to 1 quart, still gets 2 in the evening (hoping if she is hungry she will eat her grain and hay). She has nibbled on a little bit of hay, but very little grain.

4 week old Holstein steer, very nice size, tall and think. He still gets 2 quarts twice a day, but is eating a good bit of grain. I haven't seen him eat hay yet, but am keeping an eye out for it. I would bet he eats at least 2lbs a day, but will monitor for next 3 days.

3 week old Holstein steer, decent size, not as think as the older one. He still gets 2qts twice a day. Does eat grain, but not sure how much yet, again, will be monitoring over the next few day. This one I know will be on milk for a few more weeks, not as concerned with this one yet.

I guess the big questions is what do you guys think about the first two listed? Should I start to cut back milk for either or both? Or give them a little more time?

Thanks.

[TSYORK]

Originally Posted by stifflej

Ok, so I have 3 "bottle" calves now, I bought 2 yesterday. I will give brief description of each, and you can tell me what your thoughts are on when and how to start weaning them. The bag of milk replacer says to start to wean when they eat 2lbs of grain a day for 3 consecutive days. I will be monitoring the new two very closely to see if they eat this much grain.

6 week old Hereford heifer, born on my homestead, had to pull cause mom was in to poor condition to feed her. I have cut down her morning bottle to 1 quart, still gets 2 in the evening (hoping if she is hungry she will eat her grain and hay). She has nibbled on a little bit of hay, but very little grain.

4 week old Holstein steer, very nice size, tall and think. He still gets 2 quarts twice a day, but is eating a good bit of grain. I haven't seen him eat hay yet, but am keeping an eye out for it. I would bet he eats at least 2lbs a day, but will monitor for next 3 days.

3 week old Holstein steer, decent size, not as think as the older one. He still gets 2qts twice a day. Does eat grain, but not sure how much yet, again, will be monitoring over the next few day. This one I know will be on milk for a few more weeks, not as concerned with this one yet.

I guess the big questions is what do you guys think about the first two listed? Should I start to cut back milk for either or both? Or give them a little more time?

Thanks.

For the first two, cut them back to one two-quart bottle per day. With the decrease in calories from you cutting back to one bottle per day, they'll be more inclined to check out the browse. Definitely start slow and work up, but get some dairy chop in them.

[Callieslamb]

At 2 1/2 - 3 months, I start feeding them their grain before the milk. With each feeding, I feed them less for a week, until they are down to just a few swallows. then I just feed them once a day. Feeding them grain and hay first - gets their heads in the trough and sometimes the don't even notice that they didn't get the milk. I like to have them weaned by 3 months if all else is well. (eating grain,water, gaining weight, etc.) It isn't a hard and fast rule...but I use it as a guide.

I'd make it easy on myself and just weant them all together if I was not buying Milk replacer.

[stifflej]

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

At 2 1/2 - 3 months, I start feeding them their grain before the milk.

I do not want to wait that long to wean, since I am buying MR. I am hoping to have them all weaned in the next 3 weeks, will make feeding a lot easier.

[stifflej]

Once I cut out morning bottle, how long do I keep them on evening bottle before I stop it?

Thanks.

[sammyd]

at 8 weeks, it they are eating 3 pounds of starter grain or so a day I stop feeding milk.
I may cut back to once a day for a week if they aren't up to speed on the grain but I rarely have to.
Last batch weaned at 7 weeks and is doing great.

[francismilker]

Originally Posted by sammyd

at 8 weeks, it they are eating 3 pounds of starter grain or so a day I stop feeding milk.
I may cut back to once a day for a week if they aren't up to speed on the grain but I rarely have to.
Last batch weaned at 7 weeks and is doing great.

Ditto! What he said.........