age to wean calves
Calves can be weaned any time after their rumens become functional, that is, when their digestive system can process whole feeds. Bottle-fed calves can be weaned after one month of age, while calves nursing cows are weaned between 3 and 8 months of age. It is usually best to wean at the older age. For comparing weight of calves weaned at different ages, a 205-day weaning weight is sometimes calculated. This “205-day WW” is the calf weight adjusted for birth date and weaning date, and does not infer that calves should necessarily be weaned at that age. Although calves are usually weaned at 8 weeks or older, many producers use early weaning programs to lower the costs of feed and labor. Calves tend to scour less when consuming solid feeds compared with liquid feeds. As a result, health costs may decrease. The following table illustrates the difference in the cost of feed and labor for weaning a calf at 5 or 8 weeks of age. This example represents estimated prices for a good quality milk replacer and calf starter. Under these circumstances, weaning a calf at 5 weeks instead of 8 weeks saves $26.89 per calf. If a newborn calf is. unable to nurse its dam, use of a surrogate cow may be the best way to raise the calf until weaning. Bottle-fed calves can be weaned after one month of age, while calves nursing cows are weaned. between 3 and 8 months of age. It is usually best to wean at the older age. For comparing weight of. calves weaned at different ages, a 205-day weaning weight is sometimes calculated. This “205-day. WW” is the calf weight adjusted for birth date and weaning date, and does not infer that calves. should necessarily be weaned at that age. Using the estimated times in the footnote of Table 1, it required 4.8 hours of labor to wean at 5 weeks of age and continue dry feed until 8 weeks compared with 6.5 hours to feed milk replacer until 8 weeks of age. Calves can be successfully weaned when adequate rumen development has occurred. Make small amounts of calf starter feed and quality grass hay available to the calf starting a few days after birth. Measure how much dry feed your calf is consuming. When your calf is eating at least 1 1/2 pounds of calf starter per day, you can start the weaning process. This typically happens at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Reduce the amount of milk replacer in the calf's bottle over the course of a week until he is drinking almost entirely water from the bottle. Bucket/bottle fed calves can. be slowly weaned off of liquid milk replacer when they are able to consume 2-3 lbs of dry matter per day (which can. happen as early as 4 weeks of age, but is typically closer to 8 weeks of age). Research shows that it takes at least 3. In most cases, calves can be weaned at 4 to 5 weeks if starter consumption is adequate. Calves that had scours and were off feed, or fed poor quality starter, or did not have water available may not be ready to wean at 4 weeks. How to Wean a Bottle Fed Calf. Bottle calves are weaned off milk at two months of age. Bottle calves, or bucket calves, have been raised on milk replacer and fed out of a bottle or bucket with a nipple instead of being raised with their mother. Traditionally, beef calves are weaned when they are 180 to 220 days of age (6-7 months). of calves can also be accomplished as long as the health and nutrition of the calves are properly managed. Early weaning is commonly done when pasture is scarce and/or other feed resources are expensive. Traditionally, beef calves are weaned when they are 180 to 220 days of age (6-7 months). Early weaning. of calves can also be accomplished as long as the health and nutrition of the calves are properly managed. Early weaning is commonly done when pasture is scarce and/or other feed resources are expensive.
8 weeks or older.