06/18/2026
Since a ton of ranchers have been messaging me about bottle babies lately, I figured it would be easiest to just make a post with the exact products, gear, and routines we’ve had the best results with over the years.
First things first. NO to cattle colostrum for elk calves! It’s WAY too fatty for them, and you’ll end up with major issues down the road. Stick to multi species options instead.
Here is our go to setup:
Formula & Supplements -
The Best Milk Replacer: We swear by Purina Multi-Species Milk Replacer. The elk do amazing on it. We have a 6 day old calf on it right now who is doing great, and Junie was raised on it last year.
Colostrum: For the first 3 days, we use the Producer's Pride Multi Species Colostrum Gel (the paste) along with a multi species colostrum powder supplement. After 3 days, we transition them fully to formula.
Bottles & Gear -
The Bottle: Honestly, we just use a $1 spray bottle from Dollar General because it has the ounces marked right on the side. Since they’re so cheap, it’s super easy to buy one for each calf if you have multiple to keep things completely sanitary.
The Ni***es: Pair that bottle with the Little Giant Soda Bottle Lamb Ni***es (the black 3-pack from Bomgaars). They fit perfectly, we just cut a small hole in the top for a faster flow.
Tubing: If you ever absolutely have to tube one, do NOT use a cattle tube. It's way too big for their esophagus. Use a goat/sheep tube instead.
Feeding Schedule & Routine -
We feed 5 times a day: 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, and 10pm.
Crucial step:Keep a pack of baby wipes handy. You have to manually stimulate them until they p**p after eating, and keep doing it until they are p**ping completely on their own.
If you're dealing with a pulled calf or a stubborn mama right now and have any questions, just let me know! More than happy to help.
