How Do You Feed An Orphaned Calf?
A calf that has been orphaned at or soon after birth requires some special care for survival and good health. Every orphaned calf should be given colostrum, which will provide important antibodies. For specific information on feeding an orphaned calf, contact a local veterinarian who is familiar with calf care. Give the orphaned calf colostrum, which is an important source of immunoglobins. A calf should receive the colostrum within the first 12 hours of life. Traditionally, farmers have given an orphaned calf 2 qts. of colostrum as soon after birth as possible and then again 12 hours later. Research now indicates that this may not be enough and that specific amounts should be based on the calf’s weight and the amount of antibody in the colostrum. Choose whether you will feed the orphaned calf from a bucket, a nipple bottle or a nipple bucket. Use whichever method is easiest for you and the calf. It is harder to teach a calf to drink from a bucket, but nipples can harbor bacteria and o
