How to Raise a Newborn Calf

A cow is usually able to raise her newborn calf on her own provided she has access to shelter and feed. But sometimes raising a newborn calf requires human intervention. Dairy farmers generally separate the cow and calf immediately after birth. A calf might also be raised by humans if the mother experiences medical problems, dies, rejects the calf or does not produce milk. There are some essential steps to ensuring the calf's health.

Things You'll Need

  • Colostrum
  • Milk replacer
  • Bottle
  • Towels
  • Shelter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Move the calf to a sheltered area of the barn or to a calf hutch where it will be safe from predators such as coyotes and wolves and is sheltered from wind, rain and snow. Bed the calf on straw or sawdust.

    • 2

      Dry off the newborn calf by rubbing it with clean towels. Make sure that the calf's nose is clear of fluid and it is breathing normally.

    • 3

      Feed the calf 2 liters of colostrum as soon as possible after birth if the mother is not available to provide it. Do this within one hour, if possible. Fresh colostrum is preferable but frozen colostrum can be thawed and fed, if necessary. Use a bottle and large nipple designed for a large animal. Feed the calf another 2 liters of colostrum when it is six to 12 hours old.

    • 4

      Switch to a transitional milk product when the calf is 1 day old. Feed this for an additional 48 hours before starting the calf on whole milk or a milk replacer. Warm the milk to 98 degrees if the calf is living in cold conditions, otherwise warm it to room temperature. The calf should receive a minimum of 10 percent of its body weight in milk per day and be supplied with constant fresh water and a commercial calf-starter feed product.

    • 5

      Continue to keep the calf sheltered and away from other animals until a nurse cow can be found, if desired. Introduce the calf and nurse cow and keep them separate from the herd until they have bonded. Turn the newborn calf and adopted mother out with the rest of the herd. Check frequently for the first few days after turning them out to ensure that the nurse cow will continue to raise the calf as her own.