Bottle Calves: When do you prefer to buy?

Don Scroggins

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I know that there is a spring and fall birthing season and I'm wondering if anyone has thought as to which is preferable via cost/difficulty.

My thoughts are spring is warmer so less worry about keeping them warm. Yet would there be much difference cost wise? They'd be on bottle for 3-4 months anyway (which is about our winter here in SW Missouri).
 

cjc

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Winter. Calves are cheaper bcs no one wants the hassle or to feed as many through winter but in the early months they eat little hay. By the time they want large quantities the pasture is ready and you’re not having to supply as much hay. In my area all beef raisers calve in winter for this reason. Calf feeds from the cow in the winter, no extra feed costs through winter which is when you spend the most on feed

Depending on how cold it gets where you are you will need to keep them warm and keep the water thawed. I blanket the little ones in the cold and keep them in the barn or a protected stall in our covered riding arena
 

WyndSyrin

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I live in north central missouri, so I can say that the winters here are strange at best. For a bottle calf I would say having one through the summer would be better. This way when winter shows up, like it is now they will have the weight and get furry enough to withstand the cold. That is what I have been doing with my two bottle babies. They will be weaned this Jan.
 
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