Newborn Calf Precautions

Diligence and extra precautions should be taken when caring for calves from birth to weaning. This is the most precarious time in the animals life as the mortality rate is high. During the first six to eight weeks after birth, goals should be providing quality nutrition and minimizing disease.

  1. Living Facilities

    • The environment the calf lives in is important. Designs are either complete barn enclosures, metal or wood elevated pens or individual pens or hutches. No matter the type, the area should be kept clean and dry. Wind, cold, heat and rain protection is also a must. The animal should be comfortable and stress-free, so plenty of space and ventilation is necessary. Cleaning, especially with a disinfectant, should be done regularly to prevent pathogen build-up.

    Food

    • Colostrum milk, rich in immune system nutrients, is produced by the mother cow immediately before and after birthing. A calf depends on it for infection prevention. The colostrum can be analyzed and stored to ensure calves receive the most nutrients they can. This is only fed to calves for roughly four days after birth. Calves should not be fed milk from cows treated with antibiotics. Milk replacers with dairy protein should be used. Dry alfalfa hay can be given once a calf is a few days old.

    Water

    • Water is essential. Though calves do get water from colostrum and milk replacers, clean fresh water low in salt and bacteria should be provided as well. No toxic substances should be in the water, either. When water becomes dirty, it needs to be changed and water troughs and pails should be cleaned regularly. Up to 6 months in age, calves will drink two to five gallons of water a day.

    Disease Prevention

    • Regardless of the type of living area, a calf should be born in a dry, clean area. Hospital pens for sick animals should not be used. If the umbilical cord is not cut right after birth, it can be severed 2 to 3 inches from the calf's body. It and the belly area should then be dipped into a 2 to 7 percent iodine solution. This will dry what's left of the cord to prevent disease from entering the calf's body through it. Vaccines should be conducted by a veterinarian.