Getting a calf to suck the bottle.

[bunny]

Hi, anyone have a suggestion or 2 about getting a calf started on the bottle? The cow doesn't have enough milk and so far the calf refuses to suck the bottle. Very frustrating, as she sucks and sucks on the cow; but doesn't get much..

[topper]

Sometimes it is very hard to get those little critters to suck that bottle. I seem to have better luck just using a small pail. Stand over the calves back and put your hand on top of the calves snout. Push his head down so his nose just touches the milk and then massage his tongue with your finger on the same hand thats holding his snout down. They try sucking on your finger and get milk from the pail, doesn't take long and they are pail trained. This method seems alot easier on the calf and the farmer. Oh I forgot you'll have to have a back stop behind you as the calf will want to back away at first. Hope this helps.

[bunny]

Thanks for the suggestion,, I'm going to give it a try this weekend when I'll have more time to spend with the little one.!

[ALLFARMER]

My dad sticks his thumb & or fingers in the calves mouth with milk on his fingers He then puts the nipple & fingers in. It is quite a fight but dad some how always gets them going. I would milk out each of the cows tiets & use that milk to bottle with. It the best milk for the calf plus if its a while until the milk is used her bag will get hard and some and the dumb calf will be getting a kick for his efforts. Sometimes its 15 hrs after birth until a cow really begins to produce milk. Tieing the cows legs in the squeeze and holding the calf under there with the tit in his mouth is the best way 2 or three times of this and he knows how to do it. rubbing the underside of his mouth will also help getting the swallow motion down. Best of luck I know it not easy. Working with neighbours is good also. My dad and his neighbour put there cows together this yr and between the two of them are having good safe luck. Seperately they could never do it. Two are safer, smarter, stronger, & better prepared than one.

[ALICIA]

I KNOW I'M LATE, BUT TAKE A PAIR OF SCISSORS AND CUT THE HOLE IN THE NIPPLE BIGGER AND WITH THE NIPPLE IN THE CALFS MOUTH SQUIZZE NIPPLE CALF GETS MILK AND STARTS TO SUCK.I HAVE TO BOTTLE FEED AT LEAST ONE CALF EVERY YEAR AND ITS GREAT TO GET HARD TO FEED CALFS ON THEIR MOTHER IF THEY ARE SLOW IN GETTING UP AND YOU WANT TO GET COLOSTUME IN TO THEM ALICIA