The transcript provides comprehensive tips for raising healthy calves, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clean and dry environment, ensuring timely feeding of colostrum, and minimizing exposure to pathogens. It also highlights the significance of proper ventilation, stress reduction, and correct preparation and storage of milk replacers to enhance calf immunity and overall health.

Expert Tips for Raising Healthy Calves

Raising healthy calves is crucial for the success of any livestock producer. Whether you’re an experienced farmer or just starting, these practical tips will help ensure your calves thrive from birth to weaning. This guide covers essential practices to maintain the health and well-being of your calves.

Understanding Calf Development

When we talk about calves, we’re referring to young cows that are less than two years old. During this period, it’s vital to provide them with the right care to support their growth and development.

Essential Tips for Raising Healthy Calves

Ensure a Clean and Dry Calving Environment

It’s crucial to have a dry, clean area for calving. The birthing environment can be the first source of pathogens for calves, who are born without immunity. Keep the area and equipment clean, dry, and disinfected to minimize exposure to harmful microbes.

Disinfect the Navel After Birth

Disinfecting the calf’s navel with a 7% iodine solution soon after birth is essential. This should be done within 12 to 18 hours to prevent infection. Make sure the navel, stomach, and umbilical cord are well-covered with the solution.

Provide Colostrum Immediately

Calves need colostrum as soon as possible after birth because they lack the ability to produce antibodies. It’s recommended to supply one gallon of colostrum milk within the first two hours and two more quarts from six to twelve hours later. If a calf resists consuming colostrum, use an esophageal tube.

Proper Storage of Colostrum

If you have excess colostrum, ensure it is refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth. Colostrum can be fed fresh or frozen for later use.

Avoid Mixing Colostrum

Mixing colostrum from different cows should be avoided, as it can lead to the transfer of pathogens and potential outbreaks among calves.

Housing Calves Individually

Place calves in individual housing until seven days after weaning to reduce stress and exposure to contaminants.

Minimize Calf Stress

Stress reduces antibody absorption, compromising immunity. Avoid stressors like excessive heat, cold, humidity, dirty environments, and inconsistent feeding.

Minimize Pathogen Exposure

Treat calves as you would a newborn baby. Ensure they’re kept in clean environments, and feed them with clean equipment to avoid pathogen exposure.

Maintain Dry Bedding

Keep bedding dry by frequently adding fresh straw. Ammonia from urine can cause respiratory issues, so reducing ammonia levels is essential.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Adequate ventilation keeps calves cool in summer and warm in winter, helping to maintain their health.

Regular Cleaning

Tilt the calf house and use a pressurized hose to clean manure from the walls. Sun-dry the house and replace old straw when introducing new calves.

Proper Weaning Practices

Wean calves in individual houses and form groups of no more than 10 calves seven days after weaning to reduce stress. This setup allows for easy monitoring of health issues.

Use Milk Replacers Correctly

Keep milk replacers closed after use and ensure they are mixed correctly with water. Weigh the powder for accurate preparation.

Sanitize Feeding Equipment

Use gloves and disinfect feeding equipment with chlorine or a detergent mix. This eliminates bacteria and keeps calves healthy.

Seek Expert Advice

If you have questions or need guidance, consult an expert in calf raising to ensure you’re following best practices.

By following these expert tips, you can raise healthy calves that grow into strong, productive cows. Remember, a clean environment, proper feeding, and stress management are key to calf health.