How to Raise Dairy Bull Calves

Dairy bull calves can be purchased when they are two or three days old from a local auction barn or dairy farm. When purchasing dairy bull calves at such a young age, it is necessary to provide them with a milk replacement until they reach 8 weeks old. Bottle feeding calves with a milk replacement will ensure that they receive proper nutrition until milk is no longer needed and they are able to forage feed. Dairy bull calves should be completely weaned from the bottle at 20 weeks.

Things You'll Need

  • Small pasture
  • Bottle
  • Milk replacement formula
  • Grain
  • Hay
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy your dairy bull calf at an auction or from a local dairy. Locate a small pasture for your dairy bull calf.

    • 2

      Give the calf two scour pills per day for the first two days and watch for loose manure. If manure is loose, call a veterinarian.

    • 3

      Mix and feed the calf two bottles per day at the rate indicated on a milk-replacer bag. Introduce grain as soon as the calf will eat it, usually about 10 days of age. Slowly introduce hay a little at a time and keep offering it daily until the calf starts eating.

    • 4

      At about 2 months old, cut the dry part of the milk daily until the calf is drinking only water.