Weight Gain on Calves

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:53 am

Could someone tell me what rate of gain I should expect with a calf? That orphan heifer is still around and has gained about 5 lbs. in a week. Yes, she now weighs a whopping 35 lbs.

Kathy :laugh:

groubearfarm · Post by **groubearfarm** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:21 am

As long as the calf is feeding small amounts regularly (I always try to leave them hungry for more) and she is bright eyed and bushy tailed, you would know when she was really ill, her eyes go dull, her ears are down and she isn't interested in things around her, then does the actual weight gain matter, your observations are most important.
Good luck, Fiona

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:46 pm

I was tryng to practice my "scientific stockman" image. She is a right little devil and although I offer her milk 3 times a day, she sometimes just wants to fool around. At 9:30 at night, this does not amuse me greatly but I do feel that she should at least be taking 3+ litres a day. She has just finished a course of antibiotics and I am praying she will not need them again as I really hate sticking an 18 gauge needle into a tiny little backside! I had to get some dental work done the other day and asked the dentist what size of needle she used and it was #30. So #18 is really big...owie. :O

Kathy