Calf Feeding Systems
There are many different methods of rearing calves, however, the most frequently used systems are:
- Pail/nipple rearing, feeding on a twice or three times per day basis
- Ad-lib feeding through a machine.
Pail Rearing
Pail feeding systems require a period of training to ensure the calf drinks well. Individually penning the calves for four to six days is the best way to ensure this happens.
Calves should be ‘observed’ at times additional to feeding times to check for signs of… Continue reading
Stress
Stress is defined as a nonspecific response of the body to any demand, and is the environment in which the animal resides. Stress alters the steady state of the body or challenges the adaptive processes of cattle.
Nutrition and Stress interact in at least two different ways and are a continous process :
- stress can produce ,or aggravate, nutrient deficiences
- nutritional deficiences can produce a stress response.
Some causes of stress :
Effect on the animal:
Stress conditions
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Reduced the… Continue reading
Clean-sterilized feeding utensils
Newborns have very naïve immune systems. Severe infections can be introduced and spread by bacterial contamination on esophageal feeders, buckets, nipples and bottles.
Review the cleaning and sanitation procedures on your facility to be sure that all the utensils have been properly cleaned and maintained.
Clean feeding utensils are critical to the maintenance of good health in newborns.
If the equipment and feeding utensils are not clean enough to feed human babies then they should not be used on newborn… Continue reading
Feed Economics
Feed represents a major cost item in any production facility. The feeding program and type of feed used must be an important consideration. Rations that are not correctly formulated will quickly impact on the feed economics of this short growing period. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) ratio are key factors in profit realization. The FE achieved in any system of production can be affected by several factors:
Nutritive value of the diet
1) Maintenance:
Both ADG and… Continue reading
Growing Suggestions for veal calves
Water Supply
Before starting calves, take a water sample to your local lab and have it checked for bacteria, nitrates, iron sodium and ph.
Water left in a storage tank between calf crops can become a prim source for bacteria that cause scouring. This is a prime place for bacteria to grow and cause scouring.
Feeding temperature should not be lowered during the summer months, instead provide cool water 2 hours after feeding.
Scour problems
A scouring calf should be… Continue reading
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