The objective of this study was to evaluate 4 milk replacer (MR) feeding programs on calf performance and digestion. Male Holstein calves (n = 96; 40 ± 1 kg BW; 1 to 2 d of age) were randomly assigned to 4 milk replacer programs: 0.66 kg for 35 d then 0.33 kg for 7 d fed only in the a.m. (0.6KG); 0.66 kg for 7 d, 0.82 kg for 35 d, 0.33 kg for 4 d in a.m. only, and 0.22 kg for 3 d in a.m. only (0.8KG); 0.66 kg for 7 d, 0.82 kg for 7 d, 1.1 kg for 21 d, 0.82 kg for 7 d, 0.33 kg for 4 d in a.m. only, and 0.22 kg for 3 d in a.m. only (1.1KG); ad libitum for 35 d, 0.82 kg for 7 d, 0.44 kg for 4 d in a.m. only, and 0.22 kg for 3 d in a.m. only (ADLIB). Calves were fed a common MR (25% CP, 17% fat DM basis; 14% solids) in equal meals at 0600 and 1530 h. Calves on ADLIB were given unrestricted access to MR for 2 h at 0600 and 1530 h. Calves were individually housed, and bedded with straw for the duration of the study (56 d). A textured calf starter (20% CP, 39% starch on a DM basis) and water were fed for ad libitum intake. During d 52- 56, fecal samples were collected from 5 calves/treatment to estimate digestibility using acid insoluble ash. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with repeated measures when appropriate and calf was the experimental unit. All pair-wise contrasts were used to separate means. Intake of MR averaged 25.3, 35.3, 40.9, and 46.5 kg DM per calf for 0.6KG, 0.8KG, 1.1KG, and ADLIB treatments, respectively. Starter intake was greatest (P < 0.05) for 0.6KG compared with other treatments (0.71 vs. 0.48 kg/d) and ADG differed among all 4 programs with 0.6KG <0.8KG <1.1KG < ADLIB. Intake of MR for ADLIB was highly variable and reflected in ADG. Digestibility of DM (80.2 vs. 73.7%), OM (81.3 vs. 74.7%), ADF (46.2 vs. 25.0%), NDF (59.8 vs. 39.6%), and sugar (94.4 vs. 89.9%) was greater (P < 0.05) for 0.6KG vs. ADLIB. Abnormal fecal days and body condition score change for 1.1KG and ADLIB were greater (P < 0.05) than for 0.6KG and 0.8KG. Hip width change was similar among programs (P > 0.05). Feeding more milk replacer increased ADG but not frame growth and delayed digestive system maturation as post-weaning diet digestibility was reduced.