farmerjan
Well-known member
That is why I have 4-6 calves for a fresh cow.... let 3or4 in to eat, pull a couple after a couple minutes... PITA to do that but after about 10 days, I will let them all go on the cow for say 12 hours... watch the manure... they will regulate after a bit... BUT... the initial getting on a cow is the tricky part...Or do like @TexasJerseyMilker ....or..... milk the cow out at least 2 quarters.... to let them on the other 2... if you milk out at least 2 quarters, you will also know about how much she is making.... dairy calves should only get 2 qts (1/2 gallon) a feeding for at least 10 days or so.... I have dairies that are going to 3 qts a feeding but not right off.... calves need to be HUNGRY..... and their system needs to get used to the richness of the milk.....The only way a calf doesn't get scours is if they can eat a little every hour or 2 and can regulate the amounts... but it is hard with a dairy cow making that much and those little guys are just little pigs....they want to eat and eat... get a glut in their stomachs... and it "runs out the other end" when they cannot process it all....