Calfs on milk powder

[Smokey16]

Hi every year i buy in calves to rear on milk powder for are selfs and this year I took on another farm and decided to rear calves for someone else I asked him how much milk he wants us to feed them per a feed and he said 2litres each so Iv got 34 calves from him atm so I'm mixing 8.5kg of powder to 59.5litres of water I'm pretty saw that's right mix ration but I spoke to the chap and he said I was using to much powder

 

[dinderleat]

We normally feed up to a kg of powder per calf after 2 weeks. So no I’d say your under feeding

 

[Smokey16]

Is that once aday or twice aday feeding. I put in 250grams of powder to 1.750 water that makes 2litres of milk. The calves we got at the min are fed 2litres twice a day

 

[bean]

I feed 3 litres twice a day at 125 grams per litre or same amount on auto feeder which I'm happy with

 

[Smokey16]

I feed 3 litres twice a day at 125 grams per litre or same amount on auto feeder which I'm happy with

Thanks. Do you think iv got the milk ration right 59.5litres of water and 8.5kg of milk powder to fed 34 calves 2 litres each twice. I'm judging myself cuz the chap said I was using to much powder

 

[Fergieman]

They are getting 500g of milk powder per day which IMHO they are getting under fed.

Ours are getting 750g per day as 2 x 3lt feeds but some say that is still under feeding them.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Thanks. Do you think iv got the milk ration right 59.5litres of water and 8.5kg of milk powder to fed 34 calves 2 litres each twice. I'm judging myself cuz the chap said I was using to much powder

He will complain next that you haven’t grown them how he wants them and quibble over paying. personally I don’t think they are having enough milk at that and as said at this time of year I feed powder at 1.5 of recommendation.

 

[Smokey16]

They are getting 500g of milk powder per day which IMHO they are getting under fed.

Ours are getting 750g per day as 2 x 3lt feeds but some say that is still under feeding them.

Thanks. The chap only wants them on 2litre per feed

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Thanks. The chap only wants them on 2litre per feed

Each too their own I suppose

 

[Smokey16]

He will complain next that you haven’t grown them how he wants them and quibble over paying. personally I don’t think they are having enough milk at that and as said at this time of year I feed powder at 1.5

Thanks. Are you feeding 150grams to 850 water to make 1litre

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Thanks. Are you feeding 150grams to 850 water to make 1litre

No no, 1.5 x recommended mix rate. Make up for the cold

 

[scatterbrainedlass]

What does the bag say? Some powders are 180g made up to 1L, others are as low as 125g to the litre. 2L at recommended strength isn't a lot really, I've tried a higher ratio mix at 2x2L and currently do standard ratio at 2x3L. It's more about mill solids than volume of liquid at the end of the day.

 

[Zippy768]

Your feeding 500g per calf per day. Imo that's not enough.
We do 750g (2x375g) fed a total of 2.5 litres of mix.
Tbh probably should be even more with colder weather

Better clarify with farmer exactly what he wants and expects.

Then next time fill the shed yourself and sell the them off your own back.

Out of interest-
Does he provide straw and grub.
What's the deal with any deceased.
What happen if - God forbid - u go done at tb testing?

 

[Smokey16]

We are using this powder

 

[Werzle]

Alot depends if your rearing dairy hfrs to calve at 24 mths or some beef calves that dont need pushing imo. All very well rearing them like champions but whats the point if its blowing budgets and your only intended to rough them as weanlings

 

[Smokey16]

These are dairy cross beef calves

 

[ImLost]

We are using this powder

I would take the "at feed rate of 750g/day" to be some kind of clue

 

[Smokey16]

Your feeding 500g per calf per day. Imo that's not enough.
We do 750g (2x375g) fed a total of 2.5 litres of mix.
Tbh probably should be even more with colder weather

Better clarify with farmer exactly what he wants and expects.

Then next time fill the shed yourself and sell the them off your own back.

Out of interest-
Does he provide straw and grub.
What's the deal with any deceased.
What happen if - God forbid - u go done at tb testing?

The chap said that he wants them on 2litres per feed. Yes he provides everything. For Tb it doesnt matter as it a tb isolation unit for calves

 

[Smokey16]

I would take the "at feed rate of 750g/day" to be some kind of clue

Yea but the chap wants them on 2litres a feed

 

[ImLost]

The chap said that he wants them on 2litres per feed. Yes he provides everything. For Tb it doesnt matter as it a tb isolation unit for calves

If he provides everything and pays you to do the job, I would do what he asks.

However, there is the animal welfare side if things to consider. Is there anyone else you could offer the same arrangement to who might care more about how much their stock are fed?