How much colostrum should a newborn Holstein get?
Newborn Holstein calves should receive 1 gallon of colostrum as soon after birth as possible. This amount is about 10 percent of their birth weight. Calves from smaller breeds should be fed accordingly. Whole Milk
When is the best time to feed a holstein bull?
However, profitably feeding Holstein bull or steer calves from birth to 6 months old is more complicated. While the supply of Holstein bull calves has been fairly stable over the past few decades, demand has been erratic, as indicated by the value of newborn calves.
How much colostrum do you feed a Holstein calf?
Holstein calves should be hand-fed 5 to 6 pints or 3 quarts of good quality colostrum within an hour of birth and again within 12 hours or the next regular feeding. (Feeding 6 pints of colostrum will not cause a Holstein calf to get scours.) The amount of antibodies absorbed is related to the timing of colostrum feeding after birth.
When to stop bottle feeding a 4 month old calf?
Bottle fed calves usually weaned at 40-70 days. 4 months = 120 days = way past safe weaning time Use up the milk replacer you have left and stop. Always keep clean fresh drinking water available. Buy a 50 lb bag of 16-18% textured calf starter. (she’ll eat it better than the pelleted type)
When to wean a holstein bull from milk?
Feeding increasing amounts of grain while decreasing milk in a “step down” pattern, designed to decrease animal stress, is key. After 10 weeks, calves should be fully weaned and adjusted to a high-energy diet. A primary goal in feeding the calves grain from a young age and not feeding forage, is to develop the rumen to adapt it to a grain-fed diet.
When do you move a holstein bull to a feedlot?
At 16-20 weeks of age, the animals are ready to be moved to the feedlot. They should weigh 300-400 lbs at this time. At the feedlot stage, feeding Holsteins is similar to feeding any beef breed. It is the calf stage feeding program that primes the Holstein rumen for a high-grain diet.
Holstein calves should be hand-fed 5 to 6 pints or 3 quarts of good quality colostrum within an hour of birth and again within 12 hours or the next regular feeding. (Feeding 6 pints of colostrum will not cause a Holstein calf to get scours.) The amount of antibodies absorbed is related to the timing of colostrum feeding after birth.
Why do Holsteins need more days on feed?
Holsteins require more energy to put on the same gain as beef breeds. This greater maintenance requirement means they need more feed, more water and produce more manure. Holsteins require 10 to 20 percent more days on feed (DOF) than do native beef breeds.