Bottle Calves

[Happy Hogger]

We're going to raise up a couple of bottle calves for veal (humanely). We're buying them from a farmer, not from the sale barn. Here's my question: Do we have to castrate them since they won't be very old when butchered?

[topside1]

Leave them intact, in fact they may even grow quicker and you will enjoy a higher yield...Topside

[Happy Hogger]

Thanks, Topside.

Can you (or anyone) tell me about replacers? Having a discussion on another forum about replacers and which ones are best. Soy vs milk proteins. Any advice?

[topside1]

Hogger, only feed 100% powdered milk replacer. All milk, 20% protein the best I can remember. No soy base at all, just read the tag....Topside

[topside1]

http://www.associatedfeed.com/images...1/2020gold.pdf

[myheaven]

The whole milk replacer is more expensive but 100% worth it. If I don't have real milk to feed from my goats I use 100% milk replacer.

[G. Seddon]

Topside, what about Land 'o Lakes Cows Match?

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein, not less than
28.0%
Crude Fat, not less than
20.0%
Crude Fiber, not more than
0.15%
Calcium (Ca), not less than
0.75%
Calcium (Ca), not more than
1.25%
Phosphorus (P), not less than
0.70%
Vitamin A, not less than
20,000 IU/lb
Vitamin D3, not less than
5,000 IU/lb
Vitamin E, not less than
150 IU/lb

Ingredients

Dried Whey, Dried Whey Protein Concentrate, Dried Whey Product, Dried Skimmed Milk, Dried Milk Protein, Animal Fat (preserved with Ethoxyquin), Lecithin, Polysorbate 80, DiCalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Yeast Extract, Methionine Supplement, L-Lysine, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Roughage Products, Calcium Silicate, Zinc Methionine Complex, Manganese Methionine Complex, Copper Lysine Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Cobalt Sulfate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide, Selenium Yeast and Natural & Artificial Flavor.

[topside1]

Gale looks good to me, I'll bring the cookies you bring the milk...Seriously everyone, 20% protein or higher, all milk, is the difference in enjoying a calf or burying a calf. You get what you pay for...Topside

[G. Seddon]

I believe milk replacer, no matter how good or how expensive, is still a poor substitute for milk direct from the calf's mother. I hate that dairies get rid of calves or kill them. Bless the folks who take them and are able to raise them well. Bottle babies are a whole industry unto themselves, but I hope never to have one.

[Happy Hogger]

I found a milk replacer at our feed mill that is 22% CP and 20% fat with Bio-Mos. It's called Nurture Plus. Yes, it was pricey, but I agree, probably worth it. Thanks for the help. Last time I raised bottle calves, I was a kid on our farm. 30+ years later, well, I've forgotten how to do it.

[springvalley]

I never feed MR, I feed raw whole milk only, can`t beat it. But asTop said, feed the best or bury the rest. And ahmen G Seddon, you said it. > Thanks marc

[CJBegins]

I would be concerned about the 6th ingrediant....Animal Fat. Calves aren't ment to digest animal fat.

[Happy Hogger]

Originally Posted by CJBegins

I would be concerned about the 6th ingrediant....Animal Fat. Calves aren't ment to digest animal fat.

I agree, but can't "animal fat" also be milk fats? Not just lard or tallow, etc?