Calf update

tracto-man · Feb 18, 2018

The calf is about 3 and a half weeks now and doing well, got him castrated and dehorned. Thanks a ton for all the info from all you cow guys on here! Michigan's thawing out now so he probably won't see too much more cold weather. He only got out once so far, lol!

When should he start getting weaned? I've heard start at about 5 weeks?

larry@stinescorner · Feb 18, 2018

he looks good!You did a good job!!!!!

john in la · Feb 18, 2018

With only one calf it is no big deal cost wise to wean early or lets say as soon as you can do it.

But with that said he should be eating and almost ready to wean at his age.
We use to shoot for 4 weeks old or one 50 lb bag of milk replacer on Holstein calves.

Weaning really has nothing to do with age.
Once the calf is eating 1.5 lbs of calf starter for 3 or 4 days in a row you can wean them.
There is very little in future growth rates for keeping them on milk any longer than that.

You should have free choice water; starter; and hay in front of him at all times from the first week.

How did you dehorn him? I assume you used paste and not the hot iron.
I can still smell that smell from the hot dehorn iron and it has been 20 years since I have done one.

carvel minne farmer · Feb 18, 2018

tracto man give yourself a big pat on the back, he looks pretty good, he'll soon be part of the family! whats his name?

farmerwithmutt · Feb 18, 2018

Jersey calf you really did good there one of the toughest calves to raise . to wean as soon as the sack is empty he's weaned i would maybe start once a day feeding and see how he does. I've also seen guys sprinkle it over there dry feed to give it a better taste.
I wish more people would raise calves as you do dry bedding, clean calf,dry nose ,alert ears all the signs of a good farmer. Neighbor has carved out a good market that way people are willing to pay extra to see that the animal is raised humanly

ss55 · Feb 18, 2018

Cute little calf.

Is the snowmobile from the 1980's?

Traditional Farmer · Feb 18, 2018

Costs more but I always like to keep giving them some milk for quite awhile,look how long they nurse a cow when they are raised like that.

IanC · Feb 18, 2018

Kawasaki Invader, no later than '82 when Kawasaki left the snowmobile market. Best buddy had an Intruder (fan cooled, fixed headlight) about same vintage. Decent rear suspension for a short travel sled.

tracto-man · Feb 18, 2018

Yep, I forgot the exact year, 1978 I think? 440 liquid cooled scoots right along.

tracto-man · Feb 18, 2018

Yes we used the paste for the horns. Was a heck of a lot cheaper then having a vet do it.

Calf update

tracto-man

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larry@stinescorner

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john in la

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carvel minne farmer

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farmerwithmutt

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ss55

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Traditional Farmer

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IanC

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tracto-man

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tracto-man

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