The Best Ways to Wean a Bull Calf

Weaning your bull calf should be done with the highest priority given to minimizing stress to the calf -- both physical and mental. A bull calf in the process of being weaned is much more susceptible to illness caused by stress and environment. With some advance preparation and proactive steps, you can wean your bull calf with the least amount of trauma.

  1. Environment

    • Bull calves incur much less stress when weaned on a grass pasture as opposed to a dry lot. Dry lots are often crowded dusty environments that can cause a weanling bull calf to become sick with an upper respiratory illness. Weaning a bull calf on a grass pasture will also help with his digestion; as abrupt changes in feed can also cause illness such as "scours." If possible, leave your bull calf on the pasture he is used to and remove his mother to a spot where he cannot see her.This will lesson the chances that he will try to go through the fence to reunite with her.

    Herd Environment

    • Cattle are herd animals and prefer the company of other cows over isolation. Bull calves endure much less stress when weaned with older cows in the pasture to keep them company. Especially if they are cows the bull calf is familiar with. By placing one or two older cows in the pasture with your newly weaned bull calf, you can reduce his anxiety and the amount of time and energy he spends searching for his dam.

    Weather

    • Pay attention to the time of year and weather forecasts for your area when planning the date to wean your bull calf. By weaning your calf in good weather, you greatly reduce the calf's chance of illness and stress. You can also obtain weaning dates from the Farmers Almanac to help pick the optimal day.

    Feeding

    • Start feeding your bull calf a calf starter pellet several weeks before you wean him. This will get him accustomed to eating a new feed before the stress of being weaned. Once the bull calf is weaned, he should be fed hay and calf starter pellets at least twice a day. It is preferred that the calf be fed by one person at the same time every day. The bull calf should be fed in a feeder raised off the ground and kept clean daily. Do not place the raised feeder too close to the calf's water source; the water will become contaminated. Weaning bull calves require a large amount of fresh clean water once they are weaned.