Advise? have I ever! Make sure that the calf has at least three days on the mother, buy a large dog collar and use it to teach the calf to lead and tie up, it gives you something to control the calf from early on, put some time and patience into getting the calf used to being handled all over.
I would be wary of raw milk unless I was sure it was from a healthy source other wise you have the right idea, perhaps watch the salt. If you teach the calf to tether on a long rope and chain you can move it around regularly so it is not grazing near it's own manure and it is getting fresh grass. Always use a length of chain attached to the calf when tethering, the reason being that it tends to hang straight down and lay flat on the ground reducing the tendency for the rope to tangle around the legs. Resist the tendency to over feed with milk, many calves die because of poor feed control, remember on their mother they feed when they feel like it, you will restrict the feed times and they tend to over eat, If the calf starts scouring take it straight off milk and onto electrolytes, if this doesn't work quickly then get the vet, they usually die from dehydration. I really like Jerseys, they have great milk and cream, unfortunately their teats are usually too small for comfortable hand milking, but as a house cow I know no better. Good luck. David C ----- Original Message ----- From: "D" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, 30 May 2002 12:20 AM Subject: Calf raising > We are going to be getting a Jersey calf soon. It will be between 3 days > and one month old. I was hoping to get some advice on feeding it. > > We are planning on giving it free choice hay, free choice mixture of kelp > and salt, milk replacer with EM (effective microorganisms) added, and access > to green grass. We may be able to get raw milk for it but probably not. > > Any advice? > > Daniel > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bonnie York" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 5:20 AM > > > > > > >
