Turn calf loose?

[travlnusa]

Three weeks ago, had a heifer die while calving. Now have a bull calf I am bottle feeding. Out in the pasture, I have 9 cow/calf pairs all about the same age.

Neighbor suggested I turn the orphan calf out into the pasture with the rest of them, saying he will find a cow that will let him latch on, or will able to sneek in enough to grow on his own.

Same guy suggested I take a bottle out there once a day. If he is attacking it, shows me it is not working. If, over time, he no longer comes running or does not finish it, all is well.

What are your thoughts?

[linn]

If this calf has been raised on the bottle, I would keep him on the bottle. I wouldn't count on him finding a cow to latch onto. Even if he does get a cow to stand now and then, he won't do well with nursing now and then. In my opinion, if he is doing well, keep bottle feeding him. You can start him on a high quality calf starter and alfalfa hay and wean him at three months.

[Ronney]

Agree whole heartedly with Linn. Too hit and miss for me and after having lost the cow, I would want to know that I wasn't going to lose the calf or have a skinny, half fed thing.

Definately let the calf out with the mob and be prepared to go and get him for the first few feeds until he works out the new regime. The company and grass can do him nothing but good.

Now, having said that, several years ago I was rearing two calves then had another cow calve. It was late in the day and I shoved her into the same paddock as my calfateria reared calves where she stayed for several days. On the third day one of the hand reared calves didn't come in for breakfast but did for dinner and only drank half the milk. The following day it wouldn't come in at all along with another calf. The third morning I got down to the shed in time to see this cow feeding her own calf plus my two calfateria reared calves. Brilliant! This cow is the least ammendable of all my cows but has since reared another three calves without having to "mother" on - so long as she has her own calf, she will feed anything else that attaches. It may happen that if your turn your calf out he will find an ammendable cow but don't hold your breath on it. If he does, make very sure that it isn't now and again, it has to be a regular thing.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[springvalley]

I agree with Linn also, enough said. > Thanks Marc

[travlnusa]

And the verdict is in.

I will keep on the bottle, but will let him run with the gang. I asked the question as it never occured to me to try it, so I wanted to hear from others.

Will get him steered, then after a few days, will turn him loose. None of my pastuers are to far to not be able to walk out and feed in the pasture with the gang.

Thanks all