Thursday, July 12, 2012

the science of calf feeding

Early morning run to Alpine for a new bottle and powdered milk replacer.  Raising this little sucker will be rather labor intensive the next three months.  Each feeding has to be made fresh.  Water heated to 120°, mixed with precisely measured powder, then cooled to 100° before serving.  So far he is showing no sign of the scours.  The new bull calf is called Ben (Big Ben when he turns into a giant).  87,94,70,0,B,0

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're a champ John!

MontelloOffGrid said...

...what Stew said!

Unknown said...
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Bruce S said...

John you are a good man. Keep Ben away from green grass and this will help with the scours.

Dale said...

Did Mr. Cain take a pass on the calf. At any rate four more head of cattle and you will be a rancher.

Bicedottor said...
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Anonymous said...

BEN and BIG BEN (when grown up) wonderful name dude . That Alpine-Terlingua gravel oil contract is going to last a while, runs will affect vechicles brakes with little rocks as did with ours yesterday while going through. Observed muddy dirt roads around and by FL and by the closed trailer restaurant by the mail boxes. The area seems still pretty dry, very few wild animals observed in this trip this time .New young positive faces by the Big Bend Resort Adventures restaurant and the River Tours businesses. Loved it .Missed Jess there at the Chisos Mining Motel.

leilani said...

The little one's name is perfect.

Encantada de conocerte, querido Benito!

Unknown said...

Isn't motherhood grand?

Quixote Kid said...
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Quixote Kid said...

Just think, a mama cow can make milk without all that fancy equipment. Amazing when you really think about it.

Good luck with the new vaca.

Ron/Debbie said...

How many times a day must he be fed?

Larry Prater said...

John, you are wonderful. I am glad you have little Ben.

rocking R rustics said...

Are you sure you have to be so precise with the temperature? We used to just have it warm enough to be able to dissolve completely. Maybe it its some newer stuff that needs a higher temperature.....130 I don't remember ever getting it that hot.

MsBelinda said...

Just wondering if you named him in memory of Ben in Texas?

Good luck with the feedings!

Neil said...

If he gets the scours, juat mix a raw egg in the milk for each feeding. It is a good ol farm remedy that works. We raised many calves by not heating the milk at a perfect temperature and only feeding twice a day!

S.A.B.L.E. said...

Good luck on weaning in three months. Most bottle babies take a bit longer to fully wean.

Allen Hare said...

Welcome to parenthood, in middle age. That's a lot of hard work and dedication. Best of luck to you, and to Ben.