My Jersey calf

[sarahv]

Hi I am new to this site and have been reading different things for the last few days. I have a few questions:1-How much should my 5 week old calf weigh? 2-On the top of her head I feel 2 little horns coming, is that about the right age and should I de-horn her? 3- Sometimes she has loose stool, but no mess on her tail, could it be scours? 4-What age can I bred her? 5- She gets 4 pints of milk replacer in am and the same in the pm, should I increase it? 6- What and at what age vaccines should she have, or are they not needed? 7-When can I start to wean her of the bottle? Thanks all. As you can see she is my first calf I am sorry to flood you w questions and appreciate your advice Oh I also give her fresh hay, loose minerals and calf starter, she grazes all day too

[jwal10]

Hi, welcome. 1,Hard to go by weight, size of calf makes a difference. 5 weeks she still looks thin but should be filling out some. 2,Yes you can burn or use paste. 3,Probably not if her eyes are bright and not sunk in her head. Calf on milk will be soft. During the process of eating other food than just milk the stool will become darker and still loose.4,wait until at least a yr. and then depends on how well she grew, size. You want her large enough when she delivers so she isn't stunted. 5, No that is enough, she will drink water (always have fresh water in front of her at all times) and eat the calf manna or starter and hay. She will pick at other feed too. 6, I give the first round of shots at time I get them and then the bangs shot before they are a yr. old, to the heifers. 7,I feed 1 full 50 lb bag, the last 2 weeks I decrease the milk replacer but keep feeding the same amount of water until it is all water. If hot weather, make sure she is getting enough water. Best to fill the water bucket everyday so you know how much she is drinking. Same with feed give her some everyday (even twice a day) that way you know exactly what she is eating and that it increases every day. This keeps all imputs fresh. Sounds like you are doing good, Enjoy the little girl. Are you raising for milk?....James

[Callieslamb]

1. depends on how big at birth -
2. Yes
3. She's probably fine
4. 15 months- you want her to calve right at 2 years.
5. 2 qts of milk 2x a day. No more than that
6. It depends on your state what shots should be given - look at your state's ag dept.
(Mi is bangs free, so we don't have to vaccinate for that here).
7. I wean at 3 months give or take a bit. I just decrease the milk I feed until I am only feeding a swallow. I have found that if you feed the grain first - they will run for that anf forget they wanted milk too.

sounds like she's got a good home.

[sarahv]

Thanks for the info.. I will look into things further. I also am raising her to be my milker. Thanks for taking time w this newbie

[francismilker]

Welcome aboard sarahv! Good to have you here.