Bottle feeding

I have a younger calf about a month old, who I am trying to bottle feed to help him grow. His dam isn't making enough milk for him, but he refuses to suck on the bottle. Any tips on how to get him to start nursing the bottle?? Could removing his dam make any difference??

Tori

We have a similar problem.. 3 week old calf, cow not doing so well..      This morning we separated them and this evening we wedged the calf in a corner and stuck the bottle in his mouth.  I used an old soft nipple with a big X that the milk basically runs out of.    I held his mouth shut on in and by the last half of the bottle.. he was semi sucking.  My hope is that things go better tomorrow for both him and his mom..    He is picking on grain & some super good alfalfa and whatever happens, he'll have free access to that.

First of all get him hungry. Take away food and water and try in the morning. We have bottle fed tons of calves and some will take to the bottle easy and others are challenging. Stick with it! Since your fighting the calf to drink, keep the bottle/head low to help prevent aspiration. Kanshow has a good point to use an old nipple and and hold the mouth shut. Good luck I hope everything works out for both of y'all!

Jordan

I get the nipple in their mouth and repetitively squeeze his jaws together

How's your calf doing?    Mine went crazy for the bottle this morning.  He still goes nuts when I get in the pen but he sticks his head thru the bars for the bottle.