Holstein Bull Calf question

SSacres · #1 05/08/12, 11:25 AM

Everything I've read always warns to watch for signs of scours, but I may have the opposite issue.
Brought the calf home Saturday and he pooped as soon as he was standing in the stall, but cleaned his bedding out of the stall yesterday and didn't really see anymore(Admittedly I was not searching for poo, just didn't notice any.)

When I get home today I will check more closely, if he is constipated would Karo syrup in his bottle be the correct treatment?

I can tell you he drinks water from a bucket in between bottles, so not dehydrated, acts fine and pees ALOT.

Thanks for any advice.

myersfarm · #2 05/08/12, 12:40 PM

I would think it is SCOURS check and see if it has a wet tail if it does it is so thin it disappears in the bedding if you have bedding

I make my calfs get up every time I go out there ....most the time they will do a number 1 or number 2 when they stand up a few seconds.... try that see what it looks like then

SSacres · #3 05/08/12, 03:01 PM

He has a clean bottom and dry tail, been checking for that.

It sounds like no poop for two days is not the norm, will go out and check again as soon as I get home.

myersfarm · #4 05/08/12, 03:54 PM

SSacres one more Idea if dogs or cats can get in the pen they might be eating the poop

topside1 · #5 05/08/12, 04:37 PM

My dogs love that calf poop....Topside

SSacres · #6 05/08/12, 05:08 PM

My dog can not get in the box stall, but the cats could.

There was nothing in the stall, so I decided to take him out and work on teaching him to lead and presto, a little bit came out (Less then my Aussie goes.)
I'll keep a eye on him, but maybe he just needs more activity, currently in a 10 x 10 stall. I thought I'd wait until he was 2-3 weeks old before putting him in a outside pasture, what is a good age to be turned out?

myersfarm · #7 05/08/12, 07:25 PM

what is a good age to be turned out

I always think I need to be there when they are that young...wild dogs..tame dogs and other stuff

If you worked would try a few hours a day since you are learning it to lead...after taking off milk...do not know but if you have a pen 1/4 acre would be great size