How Can I Put Weight on My Dairy Calf?

The weight gain of a newborn calf is an important consideration for their health. Calves need fat reserves to survive the winter, and the owner wants the animal to be the proper weight for going to the market. You can put weight on your dairy calf through different methods. Getting started early will yield the most profitable return on your livestock.

Things You'll Need

  • Bottle
  • Colostrum
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Instructions

    • 1

      Time the breeding season in order to have your calves born during the late spring or in the early summer. Having access to grass that grows during the spring and summer months will help dairy calves gain the weight they need.

    • 2

      Encourage a newborn calf starts to suckle right after birth. If the calf does not suckle, you might need to feed the calf with a bottle in order for it to get the proper amount of colostrum. Colostrum gives calves the nutrients they need to recover from the birthing process.

    • 3

      Feed the calf milk through a bottle instead of with a bucket. When their head is kinked, the milk will go straight to their second stomach. Feeding the calf with a bottle will allow it to gain the weight it needs.

    • 4

      Nurse the calf until it is 6 months old. Delay weaning to allow the combination of grazing and milk. This will help the calf gain weight.

    • 5

      Put your calf in a smaller grazing area so it does not burn off the weight it's gaining by walking around too much.