How to Train Bucket Calves

Training an orphan calf to drink from a bucket entails a lot of patience. Stay calm and relaxed while training the calf so that he doesn't pick up on your stress. Bucket training is preferred over bottle training as a bucket can hold larger amounts of milk and entails much less time to feed the calf verses a bottle. A calf's natural instinct is to hold his head up to drink; therefore, it can take many attempts before you train the calf to put his head down to the bucket.

Things You'll Need

  • Bucket, 5 gallon
  • Calf milk replacer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wet two of your fingers with calf milk replacer and insert your fingers into the calf's mouth to encourage him to suck them.

    • 2

      Place your other hand gently on the side of the calf's head and slowly direct her down to the bucket until her mouth hits the milk in the bucket.

    • 3

      Open your fingers in the calf's mouth slightly to allow the milk from the bucket to pass through your fingers and into the calf's mouth. Let the calf drink through your fingers for several minutes.

    • 4

      Slowly remove your fingers from the calf's mouth while he is still drinking.

    • 5

      Repeat this process until the calf understands to dip her head into the bucket to drink the milk.