Milk Bar Six

Judy in IN · #1 08/27/12, 06:12 PM

Anyone know of the best place in the US to buy Milk Bar Six feeders?

Wiggins has 5s for $75, & NASCO wants $118 for a six. Seems like a big jump for one more nipple.

myersfarm · #2 08/27/12, 06:43 PM

I have both 10 milk bar 6 and 12 milk bar 5

the 6 came from BRAIDEN in Tx and they went of business so I had to swich to the 5.....

I know you are asking for the 6's but the 5 work for me so much better...One hand can move them when it has some left in it were the 6 it takes two...I have had trouble with the EZLOCK HANDLES...they seem to get old and then they slide out from the fence all the time

the 6 seem to be thiner than the 5 also but the 5 can be washed easier

I would not pay $10 difference on the two.....which I could help but my sources are dried up Hamby dairy now only sells the 5 also

topside1 · #3 08/27/12, 07:25 PM

I love my five, some of the best money I've spent...Topside

Judy in IN · #4 08/27/12, 10:05 PM

All right! A five it is.

Thanks for the info.

myersfarm · #5 08/27/12, 10:48 PM

One point I forgot but does not make that much difference the 5 ' S are harder to replace the nipples...but not that much

Judy in IN · #6 08/29/12, 09:00 AM

So....before I raise a group of heifers, how do you keep them from nursing (and damaging) each other's udders? I'll keep them separate if that's what it takes.

topside1 · #7 08/29/12, 10:01 AM

Just leave the milkbar in their pen for at least an hour after feeding, they will suck on the nipples until their jaws can't take it anymore. That another amazing feature of the milkbar system...Topside

Judy in IN · #8 08/29/12, 01:41 PM

Ya but, I don't really want them to suck air. I was planning on dumping warm water in there after the milk was consumed.

myersfarm · #9 08/29/12, 02:47 PM

Judy I have been doing it with Milk Bars for 10 years they do not suck air they just suck on the nipples...it is different then a kid there neck is bowed so the milk goes in the stomack but they can never get the air to the stomack neck to long......I clean mine out with just a SPLASH of water does not have to be warm....I leave my milk bars in pen 24 / 7 then they get the idea milk in the nipple when they thing that walks on his hind legs comes around and hollers COME ON BABIES....that way I get to see them stand up and see whats coming out the rear

myersfarm · #10 08/29/12, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judy in IN

Ya but, I don't really want them to suck air. I was planning on dumping warm water in there after the milk was consumed.

to much water will also cause overfeeding and milk scours also be hard for the stomack to digest the thined out milk..since the stomack curtles the milk to digest it

Judy in IN · #11 08/29/12, 03:50 PM

Myers farm, Good to know! You raise them up to 400-500 lbs, right? Did you ever have a problem with them nursing on one another?

I'm thinking about getting two or three more next week.

I brought one little heifer home last night. Thought I had two, but they sold the Jersey twice and the other buyer left first. They had the little calves in a pen, separate from their Mommas, and would re-unite them in the ring. Who knows how long they had been without milk BEFORE the 5 hour drive home. Next time I'll give a bottle of electrolyte before we ever leave the auction.

We got home at 8 p.m. She couldn't stand, so I wound up tubing her. I tubed again at 11, and doubted she would live. I put a heat lamp above her. she was flat-out in the straw.

Hubby got up at 3:30 a.m. I was dreading going out to the barn. I was sure she was dead. Hubby came in and told me she was weak. Yippee! I can handle weak a lot better than dead!

I fixed the feeder and took a bottle. She had moved away from the light and was curled up normally. I gave her a couple of mouthfuls of electrolyte and she stood up! We finished with the bottle. This morning at 8:30 she goe a qt of MR. At noon she got more electrolyte. Tonight we'll give a little MR with Fast track, sinc she got a shot of Baytril.

These auction calves are a work of art!

Allen W · #12 08/30/12, 07:59 AM

Check Valley Vet thet usually have good prices and fast shipping. Calf Supplies (Dairy Farm & Ranch)

myersfarm · #13 08/30/12, 10:46 AM

JUdy yes 400 to 500....but the heifers are really cheap here

About the little heifer I usually only get one chance to save a calf so be carefull and constince.....the next time they stat down hill and you can not stop it

myersfarm · #14 08/30/12, 10:48 AM

These auction calves are a work of art!

Yes there are try it with 90 at a time...why it so important to just set there and watch them see whats going on

Judy in IN · #15 08/30/12, 01:52 PM

I ordered the milk bar from Valley Vet. Sis and I are going to a Guernsey sale on the 11th. I'll be keeping one of those.

Depending on that sale, I want to get a total of FOUR, not NINETY! That's a lot of work, Myers! Did your switch to beefed pan out?

I'd like to find a 3 quarter Guernsey, but it's hard to find one here.

myersfarm · #16 08/30/12, 03:19 PM

I am still dry here calfs start dropping on September 15 I hope the draught was tuff here

Judy in IN · #17 08/30/12, 08:45 PM

The drought was plenty tough here $100 round bales are not my favorite thing to buy, AND I had to travel to get them.

I gradually worked Swiss Miss off the electrolytes and onto MR. she gets a quart a feeding for 3 of her 4 feedings. She's got good poo, and I gave her some probiotics today. I think we're out of the woods.

I read an article claiming that the BS/Holstein cross did better on grass than the Guernseys. I had a gal contact me wanting either a Jersey or a Holstein. I don't know how she feels about this cross, but we'll see.

myersfarm · #18 08/30/12, 10:53 PM

ON SMALL jersey heifers I cut that 1 gallon a day down to 3/4 gallon spread out thought the day...you are doing right to give more feedings instead of so much at one time...Glad it is working out for you....

Judy in IN · #19 08/31/12, 07:47 AM

Hoo Boy! Just saw an ad for Jersey heifers cheaper than what I paid at the sale. That's scarey.

myersfarm · #20 08/31/12, 08:09 AM

Yes it is scarey ...why I am thinking the beef crosses are going to be the way to go...with the high feed prices I might just give each cow 3 and a little feed and let them raise them....I put my computer to the expense and it has not come up with a good idea yet

the price I give ...never has bother me ....LOL >>>LOL it is the PRICE I SELL.....I gave $430 for a heifer once for me a replacement she got on the trialer by mistake I did not know it till she ran into the sale ring......I kinda wanted her back so I just bid on her and 3 others wanted her also I stopped at $1200 they kept biding and she sold for $1450...so I let her go...you sometimes get a bargain at $430 and get shafted at $100 if they turn out to be freemartins