How to Rear Dairy Calves

Separate the mother cow from other cows as it nears birthing time. Provide the cow with a birthing stall or an area with clean pasture grass. Minimize any stress that the cow undergoes right before birth to help increase the newborn calf's ability to survive.

Dip the calf's naval into a disinfectant that contains 2% tincture of iodine immediately after birth. Disinfecting the naval will help prevent bacterial infections.

Remove the calf from its mother after birth. Do not allow the calf to nurse from its mother. Rub the calf dry with a clean towel.

Feed the calf 4 qts. of colostrum within four hours of birth using a calf bottle and nipple. Feed the colostrum at room temperature. If the calf will only consume 3 qts. of colostrum have a veterinarian feed the final quart using an esophageal feeder.

Maintain the room temperature between 55 to 78 degrees F. for the calf to grow the best, according to the Alabama A&M University. Temperatures that exceed 78 degrees can cause the calf to suffer stress which can affect its growth rate.

Line the stall with clean, dry hay. Clean the calf's stall daily. A calf spends most of its day laying down during the first two weeks of its life.

Feed the calf whole milk twice per day. Fill the sanitized bottle with 3 to 5 lbs. of whole milk. Attach the nipple. Feed the milk at room temperature. The calf needs to consume a total of 6 to 10 lbs. of milk per day for the first week of life.

Increase the amount of milk to 10 to 12 lbs. of milk per day when the calf reaches two weeks old. Split the milk into two feedings. Feed a bottle containing 5 to 6 lbs. of whole milk twice per day to the calf. Continue feeding the calf two bottles of 5 to 6 lbs. of whole milk per day until the calf reaches 4 weeks old.

Place a commercial calf starter into the calf's pen when the calf reaches three to four days old. Free feed the calf 1.5 to 2 lbs. of calf starter per day. Some calves will not eat it but others will immediately begin nibbling on the starter.

Decrease the calf's milk consumption to 2 to 3 lbs. of milk twice per day when the calf reaches four weeks old. Feed the calf 2 to 3 lbs. of milk twice per day for one week. Continue to provide 1.5 to 2 lbs. of calf starter per day for the calf to free feed on.

Reduce the calf's whole milk consumption to 1 to 2 lbs. of milk twice per day when the calf reaches five weeks old. Continue feeding the calf two bottles of 1 to 2 lbs of milk per day until the calf consumes the entire 1.5 to 2 lbs. of calf starter provided each day for at least three days in a row. When the calf consistently eats the full 1.5 to 2 lbs. of calf starter for three days in a row, cease giving the calf milk. Some calves do not wean fully until 10 weeks of age. Each calf weans at its own rate.

Cease feeding calf starter after weaning the calf completely from milk. Provide 5 to 6 lbs. of grain daily for the calf once fully weaned. Jersey cows require 4 lbs. of grain per day. Feed the calf fresh, clean hay when it reaches two months of age with the grain.

Provide the calf with fresh water daily. Keep the water dispenser clean.

Place a mineral block in the calf's pen. The mineral block should contain calcium and phosphorus.