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Ontario | Tubing is a good way to get nutrients in the calf fast but I'd try bottle first if its healthy, it'll set you up for an easier time bottling it if you start that way. It should also be noted that when you tube a calf the milk is dumped right into the rumen whereas when it sucks off a teet or bottle it stimulates the esophageal groove to close and sends the milk right to the abomasum where it is more effectively absorbed.
To get them started on the bottle I've had good luck dunking my hand in milk and letting them suck on my fingers, when they have a good suck going i just slip the bottle in with my fingers then pull them out and let the calf do the rest. | |
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Out of Practice for a bottle calf
