Bottle fed calf question.

juliemom26 · #1 03/25/11, 09:49 AM

We are bottle feeding our little 4 day old heifer (see different thread). Anyways, she is on a milk replacer, but we are getting raw milk from our good friends down the street. Would it be a good idea to give her some of that? If it makes a difference, the milk is from a Jersey. THanks!

Julie

linn · #2 03/25/11, 10:00 AM

Cow's milk is always the best choice, but if she is doing well on milk replacer I wouldn't change. Make sure the milk replacer is not soy-based.

KOHL HAWKE · #3 03/25/11, 10:14 AM

Is the raw milk free? If so I have mixed to extend the MR. start slow tho, and work your way up to what ever ratio is best for you and your calf, also slowly to bring her back to full MR, I agree with linn, soy is rough on them.

juliemom26 · #4 03/25/11, 11:15 AM

THanks guys.

How do you know if it is soy based? Ours Is Dumor from TSC. I didn't see it on the bag.

No, the raw milk is not free, we are paying $4.50 a gallon (so not too terrible). I don't mind sacrificing some for the calf if it is better for her.

Julie

KOHL HAWKE · #5 03/25/11, 12:24 PM

If its from TSC it is stiched in, like a tag on a pillow. They carry a soy and "natural" based product as well as a medicated for older calves. Just ask and they will show you what you are looking for. I would just stick to the MR, while the price isnt horrible its not free and just makes more work for you. If your calf is doing well, be proud your doing a good job!! and if shes not then its a learning time!

lonelyfarmgirl · #6 03/25/11, 07:28 PM

I would say go with the raw milk, but 4.50 is too much. We got leftover raw milk from the dairy farmer down the road once for 1$ a gallon. He gave it too us for that because it was for a calf, rather than for us.

juliemom26 · #7 03/25/11, 09:12 PM

Thanks guys,

For now we have ditched the TSC milk replacer. It was medicated with a good deal of soy. I have been talking a bit with a dairy farmer we know. He is a super nice guy. He recommended I not use the TSC stuff. I have her on a milk based replacement now and plan to stick with that, unless we have trouble.

Thanks for the replies!

Julie

topside1 · #8 03/25/11, 09:57 PM

Good advise.