calf feeding

rooney32

anyone have a quick system of feeding calves. we are using buckets at the minute but takes a long time. seen a few bin type feeders with teats what are they like ???

aristo

rooney32 wrote: »

anyone have a quick system of feeding calves. we are using buckets at the minute but takes a long time. seen a few bin type feeders with teats what are they like ???

we had 4 10 teat big buckets excelent job, can only really use when calves have been on a teat on an individual bucket for about 2weeks so there used to the teat before they go on to it, very quick way of feeding calves and the smaller teats last a good while too

djmc

changed to teat feeders this year
first feed bottle with nipple called speedy feeder
once calf is standing feed with single nipple feader over gate
After a day or two moved into pen of 4 or 6 calves in open high shed on batch feeder over gate
After 10 days feed 1 gallon per calf once a day
after three weeks dehorned and moved out to field and feed outside over gate
Out of 55 calves lost 2 at day old
feeders were JFC or milkbar from NZ
would never look back

rooney32

thanks for that lads sounds like the job.
where would you get the speedy feeder ?
do the feeders need to be washed daily ?

djmc

they have speedy feeder bottle at local co op store and local vet shop any bottle woud do just for weak calves
would wash feeders for young calves every week or so
outside feeders I wouldnt bother

irish_bob

rooney32 wrote: »

thanks for that lads sounds like the job.
where would you get the speedy feeder ?
do the feeders need to be washed daily ?

if your buying one of those 6 or 10 teat feeders , dont but the NZ grey coloured one or the JFC one with the black teats , the teats are very difficult to take out and put back in , the feeder ( cant remember the name ) with the pink screw in teats are much better

leg wax

irish_bob wrote: »

if your buying one of those 6 or 10 teat feeders , dont but the NZ grey coloured one or the JFC one with the black teats , the teats are very difficult to take out and put back in , the feeder ( cant remember the name ) with the pink screw in teats are much better

just cut the back off with a sharp knife and the teat falls out, easy:D. and a good pull :eek: puts them back in. me thinks any thing that gives irish bob a little trouble is no good like the scrapers and pulling tits!!!!

irish_bob

leg wax wrote: »

just cut the back off with a sharp knife and the teat falls out, easy:D. and a good pull :eek: puts them back in. me thinks any thing that gives irish bob a little trouble is no good like the scrapers and pulling tits!!!!

i never mentioned tits to date so thier is only one aroud here so far

OP , the screw in teats are called peach teats , they also leak less than the black ones btw