Raising calves involves several key steps, primarily focusing on nutrition, hygiene, and overall health management to ensure they develop into healthy, productive animals.
Here's a breakdown of the essential aspects:
1. Colostrum Management: The Crucial First Step
- Importance: Colostrum, the first milk produced by the mother cow after calving, is vital. It's packed with antibodies that provide calves with passive immunity, protecting them from diseases in their early life.
- Timing: Ideally, calves should receive colostrum within the first few hours of birth (preferably within 6 hours). The sooner, the better, as the calf's ability to absorb antibodies decreases over time.
- Quantity: Ensure the calf receives an adequate amount. Aim for at least 4 quarts within the first 12-24 hours.
- Quality: Evaluate the quality of colostrum using a colostrometer or refractometer to ensure it contains sufficient antibody levels. Poor quality colostrum provides inadequate protection.
2. Liquid Feeding (Milk or Milk Replacer)
- Milk Source: Use either whole milk or a high-quality milk replacer. Extra colostrum and discarded milk from antibiotic-treated cows can be safely fed.
- Quantity: Feed calves 8 to 10 percent of their body weight daily. For example, a calf weighing 100 pounds should receive 8 to 10 pounds (approximately 1-1.25 gallons) of liquid feed.
- Frequency: While traditionally fed twice a day, some calves thrive when fed all their milk in one daily feeding. Monitor calf health and adjust accordingly.
- Temperature: Ensure the milk or replacer is consistently at the proper temperature (around 100-105°F) for optimal digestion.
3. Solid Feed Introduction
- Early Introduction: Offer a high-quality calf starter grain from a young age (around 1 week old). This encourages rumen development, which is essential for efficient digestion of solid feeds later in life.
- Fresh and Accessible: Ensure the starter grain is fresh, palatable, and readily available.
- Water Availability: Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Water is crucial for rumen development and overall health.
4. Housing and Hygiene
- Clean Environment: Calves are highly susceptible to disease, so maintaining a clean and dry environment is paramount. Regularly clean and disinfect housing areas.
- Proper Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation to minimize respiratory problems, but avoid drafts.
- Individual Housing: Individual housing can help prevent the spread of disease and allows for better monitoring of individual calf health. However, group housing has been gaining popularity.
- Bedding: Provide ample, clean bedding to keep calves warm and dry.
5. Health Management
- Observation: Closely observe calves daily for signs of illness, such as scours (diarrhea), pneumonia, or fever.
- Vaccinations: Work with a veterinarian to develop a vaccination program appropriate for your region and farm.
- Deworming: Implement a deworming protocol as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Navel Care: Dip the navel in a disinfectant solution (such as iodine) immediately after birth to prevent infection.
6. Weaning
- Gradual Weaning: Weaning should be a gradual process. Gradually reduce the amount of liquid feed offered over a period of one to two weeks.
- Solid Feed Consumption: Ensure calves are consuming adequate amounts of solid feed (calf starter) before completely removing liquid feed. Aim for at least 1.5-2 pounds of starter grain per day.
- Age: Calves are typically weaned between 6 and 8 weeks of age.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively raise healthy and productive calves.
