Calfs

But yes I agree any calf that has not had colostrum in the first 24 hours is 99% dead. That's why you keep some frozen colostrum and replace every 4-6 months for new to the farm antibodies produced by mother cows.

Keith
Texas

Remember use dextrose only (white corn syrup) NOT SUCROSE (table sugar) at any time for no reason. If it is not sick sucrose will make it sick.

From your second post I think it just does not like the rubber nipple because it is not mom. The hole in nipple should be large enough that when you turn bottle over milk drips out and runs out with a little pressure. If you have to squeeze firm to get it to run out enlarge the hole. Keeping a nipple with extra large hole for first feeding practice is a good idea.

Good Luck
John

1. Has he had colostrum? If not and he's over 24 hours old not much chance to save him no matter what.

2. Best 'tool' I have to save calves is a stomach drenching tube. I order them from Jeffer's but if you need one asap can buy from most vets.

Good luck.

It is just scared and does not realize what the bottle is. Have had a few like this from time to time. Stand with its neck between your legs. Squeeze the neck between legs to protect yourself. HA HA.. With one hand hold it under the jaw and stick your finger in its mouth to open. Put the bottle in mouth and squeeze lightly to push out some milk. Make sure some is coming out. If the flow is slow cut the hole a little bigger. Every nipple I have ever gotten has needed enlarging. Let it catch its breath and squeeze again. If you can get a half a bottle down like this and it is still not sucking stop and come back in morning. It should be hungry by then and accept the bottle better. If not use step two.

Calf will take some milk but will not drink all. Has taken a bottle before but has stopped.
Does it have scours? It may be getting sick. My wife would give it pedialyte and has gotten a calf to take this after I have all but given up. I like this other mix better because it is sweet a the calf will eat for that reason. 20 level teaspoons of Karo (white corn syrup) DO NOT USE TABLE SUGAR AT ALL FOR NO REASON !!!!! !!! They can not digest sucrose !!!!! !!! 4 teas. table salt
3 teas. baking soda
1 gal warm water

While I have had trouble getting a calf to take a bottle before one of the three methods has all ways worked for me.

Dairy farming.
While I do not have a dairy myself (Do not like the hours and investment returns) that does not mean I do not know how to do it. I now sometimes raise dairy replacement heifers as a hobby. You know its in the blood.

The mix I gave is a simple electrolyte solution that can be found in any dairy farm management book and that any dairy farmer will know or he would not be in business very long.