Do you have experience with cattle? Bottle calves are a ton of work, and can be hard to keep alive. There is a great sticky on the cattle thread about raising bottle calves. READ IT!!!!
Weaning: I wean when they have a good size gut. Seems like it usually takes about two bags of milk replacer and getting them to eating quite a bit of starter feed to get them where I like to wean.
Time taking bottle: I've never timed them taking the bottle, but you don't want them sucking it down real fast. I like to see some foam around their mouths when they are taking it.
Crusty eyes: Bottle calves are fragile, and it's hard to tell what's going on. Bad weather won't help at all! I would contact a vet ASAP and get them to lay eyes on the calves. They will know what to look for (temperature, lungs, stool).
Grinding teeth: Same with the vet.
Good luck!!!
Weaning: I wean when they have a good size gut. Seems like it usually takes about two bags of milk replacer and getting them to eating quite a bit of starter feed to get them where I like to wean.
Time taking bottle: I've never timed them taking the bottle, but you don't want them sucking it down real fast. I like to see some foam around their mouths when they are taking it.
Crusty eyes: Bottle calves are fragile, and it's hard to tell what's going on. Bad weather won't help at all! I would contact a vet ASAP and get them to lay eyes on the calves. They will know what to look for (temperature, lungs, stool).
Grinding teeth: Same with the vet.
Good luck!!!
