How to Take Care of a Two-Month Old Calf

A bucket-fed calf is a calf that has been fed milk replacer instead of nursing from its mother. At two months of age, a bucket-fed calf can usually be weaned. Properly caring for your calf during this time is essential to keeping it healthy and ensuring that it continues to grow at a good rate. The primary considerations for taking care of your calf are shelter, a nutritious diet, and clean water.

Things You'll Need

  • Two-month old calf
  • Calf starter feed
  • Water trough
  • Clean water
  • Hay
  • Straw
  • Calf hutch
  • Fencing for an 8x8 pen
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Instructions

  1. Provide a Good Environment

    • 1
      Multiple bucket calves should be kept in separate pens to prevent spread of disease.

      Keep your calf in a pen by itself until at least two weeks after it has been weaned.

    • 2
      Use straw or sawdust to give your calf a clean, dry place to sleep.

      Make sure the living environment is clean and dry.

    • 3
      An east-facing calf hutch remains cool in the afternoon.

      Provide shelter from the sun and rain. If you are keeping your calf inside a barn, make sure there is proper ventilation and that it doesn't get too warm inside.

    • 4

      Fence the area to keep the calf safe from predators and vehicles. A fenced area of eight by eight feet provides enough space for the calf to exercise and sleep.

    Feeding and Watering Your Calf

    • 5

      Keep fresh, clean water available at all times.

    • 6
      Good hay is green with a lot of seeds.

      Keep fresh grass hay available at all times.

    • 7

      Provide calf starter in a bucket. By the time your calf is three months old, it should eat between two and three pounds of calf starter each day.

    • 8

      Feed your calf milk replacer twice a day until the calf is ready to wean.

    • 9

      Wean your calf only after it has started eating at least 1-1/2 pounds of calf starter every day.