MILK SUBSTITUTES FOR CALVES 119 



been, viz., 33^ ounces to a quart of warm water, and 9 quarts daily up to four 

 months of age. 



Six calves raised on it made an average daily gain of 1.64 pounds and con- 

 sumed 271 pounds of dry matter for each 100 pounds of gain. This is a some- 

 what better growth record than that of the corresponding group of calves fed 

 on a full feed of skim milk powder. Our experience with the material, however, 

 was that it had two disadvantages which the skim milk powder did not have: 

 (1) it was harder to get the calves started on it, and consequently growth was 

 rather slow at first; (2) it had a tendency to be laxative, some of the calves 

 scouring quite badly. Despite these drawbacks, after the first few weeks they 

 made excellent growth as shown above, and at the finish were thrifty looking 

 calves. 



Group 6. Buttermilk Powder in Limited Amount, plus Grain and Rowen 



Inasmuch as the buttermilk powder gave results, when fed on a "fuU feed" 

 basis, superior to those obtained in feeding skim milk powder, it was thought 

 advisable to feed it in limited amount also. The method followed was identical 

 with that described in the section on "Skim Milk Powder in Limited Amount." 

 (Group 3.) 



The six calves in the group made an average daily gain of 1.10 pounds and 

 consumed 290 pounds of dry matter for each 100 pounds of gain. This is a 

 somewhat lower growth rate than was obtained in any other group thus far 

 reported. The calves were not as thrifty looking as those raised on a full feed 

 of buttermilk powder, largely because they consumed considerably less feed. 

 It has been noted in the previous section that it was hard to get the calves started 

 on buttermilk powder. The same was true in this group and it is thought that 

 because of this they were not in good shape to stand the cut in liquid feed at 

 the end of the second and third months. The average amount of buttermilk 

 powder consumed by this group up to four months of age was 120 pounds as 

 compared with 193 pounds in the "full fed" group. UnUke those fed on a Umited 

 amount of skim milk powder, these calves did not make up for the curtailment 

 by consuming more grain and rowen than those on full feed. They ate less 

 grain and about the same amount of rowen, hence their poorer growth. 



Results from feeding a limited amount of powder show that skim milk powder 

 is preferable to buttermilk powder as long as the prices of the two remain about 

 the same. 



Group 7. Diluted Whole Milk plus Grain and Rowen 



Some farmers raise their calves on whole milk diluted with water, the dilution 

 being increased as the calves grow, until just before they are weaned the liquid 

 they are getting is largely water colored wdth a Uttle milk. This method has 

 been tried here, the general plan being as follows: 



1st week — -whole milk, all the calf will drink, up to 9 quarts as a maximum. 



2d and 3d weeks — two parts whole milk, one part water. 



4th and 5th weeks — equal parts of milk and water. 



6th, 7th and 8th weeks — one part of milk to two of water. 



9th, 10th, 11th and 12th weeks — one part of milk to three parts of water. 



13th — 17th weeks — one part of milk to four parts of water. 



Five calves were raised by this system and consumed an average of 329 quarts 

 each of whole milk. They ate much more dry grain than did any other group 

 and more rowen than any others with the exception of those raised on a Umited 

 amount of skim milk powder. Their growth, however, was inferior to any 

 previously reported, with the exception of Group 6, the average gain being 1.28 

 pounds; and they did not make as good use of their feed, consuming 304 pounds 

 of dry matter for each 100 pounds of gain. The calves were mediocre and on 



