Automatic Calf Feeder??? YES PLEASE!!!

[@devenlamar3900]

We used this system. Worked great. We put the cold milk in a big white cooler. Pre made milk in 5 gallon buckets put some into gallon zip lock baggie and froze them. Also froze half gallon containers with three quarter water. 100 degrees outside but we put two ice half gallons and 3 milk bricks in the cooler when we filled it up. Could go 2 days on 1 fill and kept it cold and fresh. We had to add an extra cooler and rigged it up to fill with a water float so we had a storage cooler a feeding cooler and then the heating cooler. It saved us so much time. Loved not having to make 50 bottles 2 times a day. Good luck with yours

[@ajskab99]

My wife has a automatic milk machine for her lambs. You put a 50 lb bag of milk replacer in the top, hook it to a water source and plug it in. It automatically mixes the milk as the lambs drink it. She’s got 4 bottle calves on it right now.

[@private4410]

Sounds like a good system. Do you have pictures of your wife's set up or a brand/model I could look up on the premixing system your currently using?

[@FarmFreshIB]

You can freeze water bottles and float them in the milk tank to keep the milk cold before going through the heater. That is how they recommend doing it when you are cold milk feeding lambs free choice.

[@FarmandHammer]

I have actually been doing that. I’ve got 6 or 8 frozen milk jugs filled with water that I rotate through. I still need to figure out an agitator though. Thanks for the advice!!

[@kevinanderson89]

An electric drill on a time using mixing rod .Love the heatwave feeder, I'll be looking in on one I do about 15 bottle calves at a time using milk from my 4 holstein cows. Thanks for show the heatwave feeder

[@FarmFreshIB]

@@FarmandHammer For the agitation... how about a little fish bubbler? They have bubble rings to put in tanks. I bet you could find one of those and the bubbles would keep the milk moving enough not to clump at the bottom.

[@joegonnet712]

Congratulations bud you do such an amazing job good job bud

[@tylerkelderman2680]

Just an idea but maybe if it does work well, you could get an old fridge to keep the milk in, then drill a hole in the side for the hose to go in. I fear a large bacteria load from milk just setting out. Could also drop a small aquarium pump in bottom to keep milk from separating

[@FarmandHammer]

An old fridge might be a good idea! I have been freezing milk jugs filled with water and just dropping them in the bucket to keep the milk cold. It’s worked so far but I still need to figure out an agitator. Thanks for the advice!

[@tylerkelderman2680]

@@FarmandHammer how many calves do you have on it? Interested on maybe buying one myself. Please do a review after calves are weaned

[@cheshillyard2870]

Wow that will free up some of your time. wondering will it freeze in the winter time.I'm sure the little ones will like it. Can't wait till you get them all. Love ya mate all the best.

[@mongrel1977]

Hope it works, I'm interested in getting one myself.

[@FarmandHammer]

So far it’s great! I might be buying a second one if this keeps going well.

[@french-canadianfarmer5049]

Very interesting. I have heard of this product. We have had good success raising bottle lambs on free choice cold milk. Looking forward to more videos on this.

[@randybutler4772]

Very interesting feeder.🐂

[@thisonegirl1811]

If your calves have a hard time with the long tube maybe you could try to elevate the heater and/or whatever you have got your milk in, because the more level it is with the teats the easier it is for them to get the milk out. Just be careful that it is not too high above the teats, because then the milk will simply flow out and make a mess.

[@FarmandHammer]

I have since raised the machine on top of the box it came in. I was having trouble with the tubes pulling out of the milk. That seemed to fix the issue! So far the calves have been sucking the milk out pretty easily. It requires more effort than a bottle but it comes out roughly the same speed as a cows udder. Thanks for the advice!

[@mitchellgourley4642]

I can’t wait to see the results I hope it works greatGood luck and may God be with you

[@chancergood]

good for you very cool

[@dragonhydeknight]

Nice, I didn't realize the heatwave was in the States. I have been watching the kiwi farmer set up a heatwave to raise bottle lambs.

[@FarmandHammer]

I think that’s why they aren’t as popular here. Just because people don’t know they exist. Seems like more people use it for lambs than calves but it seems to be working out nicely so far.

[@asimplelifeinthephilippine1465]

How much do they cost and are they safe to use when calfs have never been on automatic feeders before. Will they stop sucking or will they bust their stomach. I worry about that, but it does look like a great system.

[@caribouroadfarm]

I hope it works. If yes I might get one for myself as I raise fair bit of calves. The system looks promising.

[@FarmandHammer]

We will see how it performs!

[@josephmelson7591]

Awesome video and awesome new tool your trying out ..if you would level out the hose and say put the machine on a table and use a board to keep hose more level I don't think the calf's woud have to suck as hard but it will be interesting to see you use this system from know into 2023 ..

[@FarmandHammer]

I have actually raised the machine onto the top of the box. I was having some trouble with the hose pulling out. And I actually like that the calves have to put a little effort into drinking like they would from a cow. It seems to keep them from gorging themselves all at once.

[@57143bodies]

That’s an interesting device; yet, in the third decade of the 21st century, I am wondering why a digital temperature selection pad wasn’t created. Too bad there isn’t a setup to let them trot around on the grass for a short period of time. They appear to be happy and healthy creatures.

[@FarmandHammer]

Yeah a key pad for the temperature would be nice. If I can get 2 of these heat waves, once a group is trained to use it, I plan on moving them out to a smaller barn with a couple pastures. Luckily the barn has electricity so it should work.

[@arlingravelle2412]

Did you end up putting in preservative in the milk or an agitator? Or was it good to go?

[@jvenema86]

so almost wonderful beautiful video friend

[@uviwemkosana3130]

Hi, can I please ask whether you are using milk replacer or cow milk to feed the calves

[@billcampbell2943]

Great idea. Isaac do u have a personal Instagram other than the farm and hammer offocal

[@nathandukelow1863]

How many cows did you get rid of and how many head you have left?

[@denisedenomme361]

🇨🇦❤️

[@alanpinnt]

I worry about bacteria long term. I’ll buy one if it works well

[@FarmandHammer]

I clean the lines and nipples every morning. It is essentially just like using a milk bar. Clean it frequently and I think that should keep most bacteria at bay.

[@alanpinnt]

@@FarmandHammer Fair enough. I have a new setup where this would work nicely. Will be watching to see how this works for you.

[@curtisowens4588]

Hey Issac, what are the red marks on their backs and heads. Nice machine

[@FarmandHammer]

Big dairies mark each calf’s head whenever they get colostrum. That way they remember who’s had it and who needs it.

[@salvadorolmos6]

How I can make my 2 month old bull bottle calve to start eating grain he eats only hay

[@FarmandHammer]

You’ve got to start putting grain in his mouth when they are only a week old. This gets them used to the taste and they should start eating it on their own slowly. Make sure it is a sweet feed and high in protein. Hope that helps!

[@nalley6815]

Holy crap that’s expensive

[@tonto8069]

How long do they have to be on milk before they switch to grain and grass?

[@FarmandHammer]

About 8 weeks. Sometimes a little sooner, but normally by 8 weeks they are all eating enough grain to make the switch.

[@kevinanderson89]

Are there dealers in the USA? Only see Canada for north America.

[@FarmandHammer]

You can order them directly from shearwell I believe. Use the link I’ve got in the description for the US site. They have a Houston office they ship from. But you can also order from the Canadian dealer.

[@alandickson4576]

@@FarmandHammer Shearwell have a base in the US now

[@tonyfarr3277]

Where can you buy the heatwave in the U S ?? I can only find U.K.

[@FarmandHammer]

If you use the link I’ve got in the description, it should show you the US website to order. They have an office in Texas I believe.

[@tonyfarr3277]

Thank you!!!

[@logansorg6022]

Where those calves in the other pen in a future vidoe?

[@FarmandHammer]

Those will be in Sundays video. I’m doing two videos a week now!

[@logansorg6022]

@@FarmandHammer awesome thanks

[@noahsizemore1275]

That milk replacer has got to be more expensive than keeping a jersey milk cow

[@FarmandHammer]

If it was spring, I would say a Jersey cow would be cheaper. But when hay is $70-80 a bale, she would go through 4-5 in a winter not counting feed. I would guessing after figuring in labor, it would average about the same in the winter time.

[@noahsizemore1275]

Wish you were closer I have 4 by 5 bales for 40 bucks and I'm about to just bush hog a 17 acer field because I don't have time to cut it or anywhere to store the hay out of the rain. I'm just going to cut the field down to about as high as my bush hog will let me so it will have a head start in spring.

[@noahsizemore1275]

And my buddy has 4by 5 bales net rap for 50 bucks . His weight a little more than mine because he has a bigger tractor and a brand new baler man that thing is nice.

[@nalley6815]

@@noahsizemore1275 new baler doesn’t always mean better bale

[@joymad5820]

@@noahsizemore1275 let the grass go to seed then , just let some one cut it for hay just to get it cut and off, i did this one year to reseed a pasture that the previous renter over grazed

[@klaasvandecasserie8787]

You can now go into keeping chicken/hens and sell boiled eggs 😆 #hotwater

[@FarmandHammer]

That’s true. Didn’t know I had a multipurpose machine lol