2 to 3 week bottle feed calf

[bwtaton]

My wife and I just got a dexter calf that is 2 to 3 weeks old and we want to know how much milk she should be drinking we have just the calf we were told to drenching her with 70ml every 3 to 4 hours how long do we do this for and when do they start getting a full bottle and eating hay or milk pellets we do not want to over feed her or she will get sick she eats and drinks fine but she is looking a little thin on her back side and I don’t know if that’s normal or what I can do

[littlecowfl]

First, did the calf receive colostrum? WHy did they sell her so young? You are drenching her? Can you get her to use the bottle? It gets much easier if you can. She should be offered at least 1 liter four times per day. Adjust if she is hungry for more or fails to finish. Do you have experience raising a calf? Does she have normal poop, or is it loose? Scours can kill a calf quickly from dehydration. There is so much to know. Do you have a large animal vet? It would be good to have them check her over and recommend how to proceed. He or she may also know someone with a nurse cow. That would be the easiest route. Do you have other cattle? Cows need other cows. Do you have a cow with a young calf? Some cows will accept a second calf, if introduced carefully.