Success looks different for every operation. It could be related to achieving a certain weight gain, maintaining healthy calves, or reducing stress during the transition. Whatever your goals are, defining what “success” means for your ranch is the first step.
There are numerous ways to go about weaning calves, and everyone has their own methods. But no matter how you do it, the end goal is the same—wean every calf with as little loss as possible. And to do that, it all comes down to starting them off on the right foot.
Those first 30 to 45 days after weaning are the most stressful in a calf’s life. They’re leaving the comfort of their mother, adjusting to a new feed, and learning a whole new routine. Stress can lead to poor performance if it’s not handled correctly.
So, what can you do? Please focus on the basics: make sure they’re eating well, staying healthy, and not overwhelmed by their new environment. Preventing nutritional gaps, keeping up with vaccines, and reducing stress from overcrowding or unfamiliar pens can go a long way.
Bottom line: a smooth weaning transition doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because you planned for it—and your calves will thank you for it down the road.
Don’t Wing It: Why You Need a Weaning Plan
When it comes to weaning, too many folks still take a “wait and see” approach. They pick a nice day and go for it—no real plan, just hoping things fall into place. It’s kind of like trying to hit a bullseye in the dark. Sure, you might hit it once in a while, but do you really want to leave your calf crop to chance?
As cattle producers, we’re not in the business of “sometimes it works out.” We’re aiming for consistent, repeatable results. And that all starts with having a plan.
Ask anyone who’s worked cattle long enough—they’ll tell you that something always comes up. Maybe you’re short on feed, out of vaccines, or a gate breaks at the worst possible moment. That’s why having a weaning plan in place at least 30 days in advance isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. A weaning plan helps you anticipate and prepare for these potential issues, ensuring a smoother and more successful weaning process.
Here’s what that plan should cover:
- Feed and Nutrition: Ensure you have sufficient supplies on hand and that they are suitable for newly weaned calves.
- Medications & Vaccines: Double-check your inventory and reorder what you’ll need well in advance.
- Facility Prep: Repair fences, clean pens, and ensure water sources are working.
- Staff & Timing: Coordinate help as needed and avoid scheduling during other high-stress periods, such as shipping or branding.
The goal is to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible for both your calves and you. Being prepared gives you confidence and your calves a better shot at thriving in the next phase.
Speaking of being prepared, let’s discuss your facilities.
Make Calves Comfortable: Facility Prep Matters
When it’s time to wean, your facilities can make or break the whole process. A good setup doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does need to do a few key things really well—starting with keeping calves and cows separated. This separation is crucial as it prevents calves from sneaking back to their moms, which can prolong the weaning process and increase stress for both the calf and the cow. It also prevents the cow from producing milk, which can help the calf transition to its new diet more easily.
Beyond separation, your weaning pen needs to meet a few basic needs:
- Shelter: Protection from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures is a must, especially during this stressful time.
- Water: Ensure your water source is clean, functioning correctly, and easily accessible to calves.
- Feed access: Have feed readily available in a location that encourages calves to start eating quickly.
- Space: Give calves enough room to move around comfortably without feeling crowded.
Think of it from the calf’s point of view—they’ve spent their whole lives out on pasture, following mom around, and suddenly everything changes. New sights, new smells, and no familiar cow to follow. That’s a lot to handle.
So, try to make the new environment feel as familiar as you can. Pens with grass, open space, and natural light help reduce stress. The calmer you can keep them, the better they’ll adapt—and the more likely they’ll bounce back quickly, start eating, and stay healthy.
In short, a well-prepped facility gives your calves the best shot at a smooth start. And that’s what we all want, isn’t it?
Let Them Find It: Smart Feed & Water Trough Placement
Many producers place the feed bunks where it is easier for them to fill them rather than where it would be better for the calf to find them quickly. The general rule of thumb here is that you will want to place the bunks perpendicular to the outside fence of the calf pen. Setting the bunk like that is so that when the calf is pacing around, it will run into the feeder. This placement increases the chances of them beginning to eat and put weight on.
The placement of the water trough in the pen is also crucial. Like the feed bunk, you will want to place them on the outside perimeter of the enclosure. Placing them like that will be so they will run into them also. One tip is that if your cattle get their water from a trough, then you may want to use the same type of trough in your weaning pen. Using the same kind of trough will help because it is something the calf is familiar with and knows they can get water from.
Feed Familiar: Avoid Big Diet Changes
One of the most significant responsibilities you’ve got during weaning is making sure your calves get the proper nutrition. They already have enough stress on their plate—being pulled away from their mom, moved to a new environment, and figuring out a new routine. The last thing you want to do is throw an unfamiliar feed at them and expect them to go to town on it.
Calves are creatures of habit. If they’ve never seen a specific type of feed before, chances are they’ll sniff it, maybe nose it around, and walk away. And when they don’t eat, they don’t gain—and worse, their immune systems can take a hit.
But it’s not just about whether they like the feed. Their digestive systems—especially the rumen—need time to adjust. According to research from the Iowa Beef Center, it takes anywhere from one to two weeks for rumen microbes to adapt to a new feed source. If you jump the gun and change feed too quickly, you could end up dealing with bloating, scours, or other gut health issues.
To set them up for success, introduce the new feed before weaning. Even better, use feed that’s similar to what they’re already familiar with—such as pasture or creep feed—so the transition isn’t too much of a shock to the system.
Bottom line: keep it simple, keep it familiar, and ease them into any new rations. A smooth nutritional transition gives your calves the best shot at a healthy, low-stress weaning period—and that’s a win for everyone.
Smooth the Transition: Creep Feeding & Gradual Mixes
Creep feeding—offering calves supplemental feed while they’re still nursing—is one of those simple steps that can make a big difference during weaning. When calves are taken from their mothers and placed in a new environment, it’s a major upheaval. Everything changes at once: their surroundings, their routine, and their source of comfort. That’s a lot for a young calf to handle.
But here’s where creep feeding really shines. If those calves recognize the feed you put in front of them—same smell, same taste—they’re much more likely to start eating right away. And getting them to eat early is half the battle. It helps reduce stress, supports the immune system, and minimizes weight loss.
If you’ve been using creep feed while the calves are still on the cow, stick with it for the first several days after weaning. That familiarity gives them something solid to hold onto while they adjust to their new normal. It’s like handing them a bit of comfort in a stressful time.
Now, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and creep feeding may not be the right fit for every operation. It comes with both benefits and costs—but when used right, it can absolutely smooth out the weaning transition.
If you’re weighing the pros and cons, I’ve got a complete breakdown in the article “Pros and Cons of Creep Feeding“ to help you decide if it’s the right tool for your program.
No Creep Feed? No Problem
If you didn’t use creep feed before weaning, don’t stress—there’s still a simple way to help your calves get off to a solid start. It’s all about easing them into their new diet without shocking their system.
A good approach is the 90/10 mix. That’s:
- 90% familiar feed like pasture hay or forage they already know
- 10% new feed you want to transition them to
This small step makes a big difference. Calves are more likely to eat when they recognize what’s in front of them. By starting slowly, you help avoid the digestive upset that can occur when introducing a brand-new feed too quickly.
As the days pass, adjust the ratio slightly at a time. Gradually transition to 80/20 after a few days, then to 70/30, and so on. Let their gut adjust at its own pace. Slow and steady wins the race here.
And here’s one more tip: if you have a specific supplement, pellet, or ration you want to use long-term, go ahead and start incorporating it into the mix early. Even if they just nibble at it now, they’ll become accustomed to the smell and texture—which can make a significant difference when it’s time to switch over fully.
For a more detailed walk-through of this step-by-step method, check out “The Unconventional Guide to Weaning.” It’s packed with practical tips to help your calves thrive through the transition.