David responded:
>
>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.
>>
>> Any advice?
>>
>> Daniel
Daniel,
Listen to David's good advice.
For sure more calves die from dehydration brought on by scours than any
other cause.
And they get it in situations where they are bottle or bucket fed because
of the infrequent feeding tends to bring on over feeding. You go out with
your pitiful quart of warm, fresh milk and let the calf have a go. The
bottle is soon empty but the calf wants more because it's been too long
without any. Poor, innocent novice wants to give it more despite the advice
of experienced hands. Then, scours. Maybe you can buy electrolyte solutions
as David suggests and let the calf have free choice water + electrolytes
from a bucket hanging on the corral, but for sure do not give it too much
milk in any one feeding. It is at least a set back and commonly death.
Best,
Hugh Lovel
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