There are bucket calves that are easy to raise.Raising bucket calves may be the perfect project for children interested in caring for livestock.If you want to raise bucket calves, you need to know how to care for them in a variety of ways.
Step 1: Get nipples and calf bottles.
Purchase a set of bottles and nipples.At least one set should be assigned to each calf.You will need to sterilize the equipment between uses.The calf's natural instinct to suckle is triggered by the nipple of a bottle.Bottles and nipples can be purchased at major retail stores.
Step 2: Give them milk to start.
The newborn calf should be fed milk from the mother for the first few days.The calf needs to have a strong immune system because of the antibodies in the colostrum.If you bought the calf, it probably didn't get the amount of colostrum it needed.Replacement Colostrum can be obtained from a dairy farm or one of your other cows who just gave birth.If you thaw frozen colostrum, be careful not to over heat it or it will be destroyed.Allow the water to thaw if it is less than 120F or 50C.A microwave oven can be used to thaw the milk.Colostrum should be given to the calf for about four days.
Step 3: You should switch to milk.
Milk is needed for the first month or so of a baby's life.There are different types of milk.The cow has milk.If one of your cows gave birth recently, you can use their milk.The majority of cows produce enough milk to care for their young.Replacement milk.Follow the directions on the package if you are using replacement milk.The milk replacer should be able to melt into liquid form if the temperature is high.Keeping the mix consistent will help the calf absorb it.Milk replacer formula should not be too hot.Milk from goats.If mother's milk isn't available or if milk replacement is too expensive, consider goat milk.It is easy to digest and may result in fewer cases of scours.
Step 4: You can create a feeding schedule.
Young calves need to be fed twice a day.The best times to feed young calves are early morning and evening.Start slowly with a half bottle at each feeding and gradually increase it to two full feedings.It is possible to increase the feedings to three times a day during the winter.mid-day is when the third feeding can take place.
Step 5: Look for signs of stress.
If you have recently purchased a calf, this is important.When they come to your home, keep the routine the same.Changes in routine can cause stress in calves, which can lead to illness.Your calf could develop serious medical conditions if the stress is severe.
Step 6: You should watch for that.
Scours can be fatal for a young calf.Give the calf the water and electrolytes it has lost as a result of the illness and immediately treat it with fluid therapy.There are signs of scours, such as watery stool, weak to drink or stand, and swaggering when they walk.If you want to treat a calf with scours, try the following.Depending on the severity of the illness, 2 to 6 quarts of electrolytes may need to be given on a daily basis.They should be given liquids through an IV.The fluid is put into the jugular vein using a catheter.You will need a doctor to give this form of treatment.Warm them up.Take preventative measures against the cold, including warm bedding and proper shelter from the elements, so that the calf does not experience excessive cold stress in addition to it's existing condition.
Step 7: Keep your calves warm.
A comfortable temperature is between 50 and 85F.The least amount of stress for the calf is offered by this environment.If the barn is drafty, you may need to bring in a heat source for your calves.Should temperatures rise, you will need to keep their space cool.The temperature in the calf's space can be affected by other environmental factors.
Step 8: Hay can be offered.
When a calf stops drinking milk and starts eating dry, solid food, this is referred to as Weaning.hay should be available to the calf a few days after it's born.They should be offered a small amount.You need to know how much hay they are consuming.If they eat at least 1 1/2 pounds of calf starter or hay per day, you can begin the process of sterilizing them.
Step 9: Slowly decrease the amount of milk.
The calf should be drinking water instead of milk.Over the course of a couple of weeks, this can be done.You can purchase commercially available "calf starter" food products to help with the transition from milk to solids.
Step 10: Milk can be replaced with water.
Give the calf water for a week or two.You will need to provide water, grain and hay to the calf at all times.Don't be surprised if your calf continues to cry for the bottle in the days after you've removed them.
Step 11: They should be taught to lead.
One of the first things you can do with a bucket calf is train it to lead, using a halter and rope from place to place.If you want to prepare your calf for the process, try petting her while she is drinking.A new calf can be haltered and taken to the bottle of milk.This will help her get used to the halter.Try not to pull the halter on your calf.To encourage the calf to move, have someone apply pressure from behind.It will be comfortable for the calf to wear a halter with padding.When teaching a calf to lead, always be kind and patient.
Step 12: You should groom your calf.
One way to teach the calf to enjoy being handled is to groom them.When grooming your calf, be careful.You will want to move slowly so as not to frighten it.The calf should only be given a few inches to move if you are using a halter.To remove mud and dirt from your calf's body, use a rice root brush and a scotch comb.You can use a hose and soap to wash your calf.The hose pressure should be on the low side.When you wash her, use another comb to make her hair smooth.
Step 13: Show them how much you care.
Calves need some love of their own.To get your calf used to human touch, stroke her sides, belly, udder, and hind legs.She will be taught to ignore or even enjoy being handled.