got me a bottle baby

[pygmybabies]

I wanted cows at some point, started with goats, just finished kidding with 10 new babies. Now my neighbor has two calves he is bottle feeding, and one must have been a twin and mamma left it. He said I could buy it from him, after i have told him for years i am gonna get some cows. So last Saturday he came by the fence and asked if I wanted him...of course! The only problem is I was going to learn all I could about cattle before getting them, too late, So he is probably 4-6 weeks old...maybe, neighbor doesnt know they have way too many to know, the arent "professionals" lol (thats what the wife told me) anyhows, his name is t-bone, and I have been feeding him MR in the morning and night. The neighbor said he fills up the bottle puts in one 8 oz cup of MR with warm water and then in second bottle half the MR and warm water. What do you do? He really wants to play with all the goats, and our Great Pyrenese love him already. I have been so busy this week I havent been able to do much research on calves. I want to make him a steer, what age should we get that done? What other things should we do to him? He will probably be dinner some day, but right now, he is attached to my hip when I am out there with him. How do you handle not getting attached? Can the goats and a few cows live together? SHould I get more cattle? He does lay along the fence where the other cows are a lot, all help is appreciated

[linn]

Since you haven't gotten any replies I will try to answer as best I can. Your milk replacer should have instructions for mixing. If your neighbor was giving the calf milk replacer and he was doing well on it, I would use the same brand. You can use elastic band castration for this small calf. You can get the equipment and do it yourself or find a neighbor that has the equipment and will help you. IMO, the sooner it is done the better. Check with the vet about vaccinations needed in your area, we give Blackleg/Pinkeye vaccinations to all of our calves. If the goats are not butting your calf, then he should do OK with just goats for company. For me steers lose their charm as they grow bigger and get pushier, so maybe it won't be a problem when it comes time for butchering.

[pygmybabies]

thanks linn!