What can you do to get first time momma cow to produce more milk She doesn't have much milk for her 8 day old calf that is just getting enough milk to keep her alive?

Answer 1

You will have to bottle feed the calf. This sometimes happens with first-calf heifers, probably because the heifer is too small or the calf is too big. Depending on how big the calf is, you will have to separate the calf from the heifer and try to get it to accept the bottle. Start by cornering the calf and have a bottle of milk replacer and dribble some on its tongue, or wet your fingers with the milk and moisten the calf's nose and mouth with it, eventually let the calf suckle on your hand to get it to taste. Replace your hand with the nipple of the bottle. If the calf starts suckling, good! If not, keep trying and don't give up. Keep in mind the calf is hungry, but also keep in mind the calf is used to suckling from momma by now and the bottle isn't something that means "food"...yet.

There really is no way to get her to produce more milk as she is young, and probably of the breed type that doesn't produce much milk at that age anyway. You'll have to work with the calf to get it back to health, but still let the calf nurse to keep that bond alive.