Bottle Feeding

I have a very good calf that is going to have to be bottle fed. Does anyone have any suggestions on feeding one so they grow good. In the past the ones I have fed always seemed stunted never grew very well. Thanks.

It is kinda difficult to raise them on milk replacer, but you can. However, we have had better luck purchasing "waste" milk from the local dairy farmers. This milk is usually left over first milk and medicated milk that the farmers can't sell otherwise. This way, it is more like using actual REAL milk. But the antibodies in the milk may not be the same as a cow from your farm, but this shouldn't affect the growth. We have also tried several additives for intestinal health, and those helped too. I am sure that your vet would have an idea as to what to use. It may not work for everyone, but it has for us and we have raised MANY twins and orphans, and I raised dairy calves as a kid haha. I have had powder milk replacer calves grow up and raise some of the best calves every year. Results vary I guess!

We raised one last year or I should say my son raised one last year.  He fed her 4 times a day all summer and got her up to about 10# of show calf feed a day.  It got exspensive before we were finished.  She turned out to be a nice calf that has had some success showing.  Plus it was a very good lesson in responsibility.  I will attach a picture if I can.

Buy a milk cow for your herd.

DO not buy waste milk - you run the risk of giving your calf any and every bad infection that permeates the dairies including mycoplasma, salmonella, staph, kelbsiella etc one of the reasons that milk gets dumped in mastitis and calves can get those infections - you also have no idea what medications might be in the milk and if someone is (illegally) using gentamicin in dairy cows your calf could test positive for it down the road as it has an 18 month withhold.

Get a good quality milk replacer made from milk - not soy - with at least 20% fat 20% protein - feed the calf one bottle 4 x per day or 2 bottles 2 x per day spaced relatively evenly throughout the day - also make some sort of pelleted feed available as well as grass hay. If you have pasture that is also good and make sure you have a good mineral - I like crystalyx brigade tubs

If you have a herd the calf will learn to steal - if you don't have a herd and are willing to spend the time and money you can get decent growth - many bottle babies simply don't get enough to eat

I have an orphan right now - was 21 days early - his mother had cancer - he has learned to steal and is competitive size wise with his peers - I'll try to get a picture - good luck

Agree with DL.
Am currently bottle feeding 4 OCC Anchor ET calves and the milk protein makes a big difference. Nothing replaces a real momma, but a quality milk replacer can really help.