Prior to administering the fluid, check that you feel the tube in the esophagus on the left. side of the calf’s neck. (Fig 6) You will distinctly feel two tube like structures in the neck. The trachea or windpipe is firm and has rings or ridges.
http://veterinaryextension.colostate.edu/menu2/Cattle/TubeDoc.pdf
Open the calf's mouth, slide the end of the tube into the calf's mouth, usually on the left side, and slide the tube down the calf's throat. As you are advancing the tube, feel the outside of the calf's throat with your other hand. If the tube is in the windpipe and not in the esophagus, you will feel the bulb passing just barely underneath the skin. If you don't feel the tube just barely underneath the skin, you are in the wrong pipe.
http://www.cattletoday.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2817
They can be found at the local feed store in three different sizes: 1) calves, 2) yearling steers and 3) adult cows. The calf esophageal feeder consists of a stainless steel or plastic ball probe with an attaching plastic tube and reusable plastic pouch or bottle which holds the fluid. (Fig 1.) Prior to tubing the calf each time, examine the feeder to be sure it is clean and undamaged.
http://veterinaryextension.colostate.edu/menu2/Cattle/TubeDoc.pdf
Tube feeding calves. Suggestions that calf care people tube feed sick or newborn calves are often met with cries of “Oh, no, I’m scared of doing that!”. Some calf raisers are afraid to tube calves in case they hurt the calf or get liquid into the calf’s lungs. While stomach tubing calves may not be the most exciting task it is a very necessary skill for dairy farmers and calf rearers to master.
http://heifermax.com.au/!trash/blog/tube-feeding-calves/
1 Unkink the tube to allow the milk to run slowly into the calf’s stomach. 2  Kink the tube again before withdrawing it from the calf’s throat, to avoid having any residual milk run into the calf’s lungs as the tube is withdrawn.
http://heifermax.com.au/!trash/blog/tube-feeding-calves/
Measure this distance by comparing the tube to the distance between the mouth of the calf and the point of the shoulder (x). (Fig 2) This is the approximate distance that the tube should be inserted; if you prefer, you can mark this distance on the tube. Fig.
http://veterinaryextension.colostate.edu/menu2/Cattle/TubeDoc.pdf
1 Mark the tube with a tag marking pen or piece of tape. 2  Restrain the calf – if the calf is standing, this is easiest to do by backing it into a corner and straddling the calf’s neck, with your left hand under the calf’s chin, extending its neck upwards.
http://heifermax.com.au/!trash/blog/tube-feeding-calves/
So to the tube feeding. It is a bit scary, what with reading about drowning your calf and all. There is that chance of course, but ignore it for now. Tube feeding is surprisingly easy, and no need for 20 items to do list like so many I found. The vet's directions over the phone are as follows.
http://a-homesteading-neophyte.blogspot.com/2012/05/tube-feeding-calf.html
1. Get an esophagal feeder that has a rigid-preferably stainless steel feeding tube. 2. This is a two person job if you aren't experienced. One to hold the calf, one to insert the feeding tube. 3. Insert the tube into the calf's mouth. You can feel the bulb on the end of the tube after it has swallowed it. It should be in front on the left side.
http://www.cattletoday.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2817
Step by step instructions for stomach tubing calves. 1  Select the calf to be fed – check the tag number to make sure you have the right calf. 2  This step is particularly important if you are administering anything containing antibiotics, e.g. 3  Scourban.
http://heifermax.com.au/!trash/blog/tube-feeding-calves/
which side to tube a calf
The left side of tube is a calf. A calf should be tubed on a left side.