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Weaning

So how and when should calves be weaned? How they should be weaned is for, in general, for all dairy calves we feed a fixed amount of liquids from birth, approximately eight to ten percent of body weight or about a gallon per day. We also offer water during the first week of life and also a good quality starter. There are two thoughts about weaning. One is weaning at a particular age. The other is weaning when calves are ready. Calves are ready to wean when they are eating about a pound and a half to two pounds of starter per day for about three consecutive days. If calves are eating a pound and a half to two pounds that means when you withdrawal the milk, these calves are consuming enough starter to maintain body weight. They will not lose any weight. And then starter intake will continue to increase and they will return to gaining weight.

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