BisonGro Milk Replacer for Bison calves
For:
Artificially Rearing Newborn American Bison Calves
Feeding Orphaned American Bison Calves
Guaranteed Analysis
| Crude Protein | (Minimum) | 27% |
| Crude Fat | (Minimum) | 24% |
| Crude Fiber | (Maximum | 0.15% |
| Ash | (Maximum | 7% |
| Calcium | (Minimum) | 0.95% |
| Phosphorus | (Actual) | 0.7% |
| Vitamin A | (Minimum) | 40,000iu/kg |
| Vitamin D3 | (Minimum) | 4,000iu/kg |
| Vitamin E | (Minimum) | 150iu/kg |
Colostrum
The newborn calf should be fed maternal colostrum (first mother’s milk) in the first 24hours. This will help provide protection against future infections, particularly if the colostrum is fed before 12 hours. If the mother’s colostrum is not available, the second option is to use cow’s colostrum. If also not available, use a commercial colostrum replacer product.
General recommendations
- Start feeding milk replacer once newborn has received colostrum.
- Quantities offered should be adjusted to weight, increasing gradually from birth to weaning.
- Any change in the feeding schedule should be done with judgement, according to growth, size and stool consistency.
- The quantity of milk replacer fed to the calf will vary depending on health, size and availability of mother’s milk. Typically young animals require 10-15% body weight daily.
- Frequent feeding of small amounts will decrease chances of digestive upsets.
- Weigh calves regularly to ensure that milk intake is adequate
- Reconstituted BisonGro may be refrigerated up to 24 hours. Discard any unused portion after 24 hours.
- The milk replacer solution can be served in a nipple bottle or in an open bucket.
- Do not leave the milk in an open bucket for more than 2 hours.
- Clean ALL feeding utensils and equipment after each feeding: rinse in lukewarm water, wash with a detergent in hot (80oC) water, rinse with clean water (ideally a weak bleach solution) and dry thoroughly with a ‘clean’ towel.
- Consult your veterinarian for any signs of disease, fever, parasites, …
Starter ration, water, forage and weaning
- If a starter ration is available, offer small quantities daily.
- Offer good quality roughage (leafy material) and/or pasture on a free choice basis.
- Fresh, clean water should be always be available, particularly when consuming a significant amount of solids.
- Weaning should take place only when calf is consuming other types of solids on a regular basis.