What Do Calves Eat?

Calves require a very specialized diet to ensure health and productivity. In the weeks after birth, calves require a variety of substances to develop and prepare for weaning. Owners must monitor each individual calf to decide when the time is right for each new stage.

  1. Colostrum

    • Immediately upon birth, calves need to begin intake of a substance called colostrum. This is a type of milk produced in the mammary glands of mothers in the final period before giving birth. it should be milked and prepared for calves prior to birth.

      Calves should be fed two to four quarts of colostrum as soon as possible, and a total of at least six quarts within the first 14 hours. Colostrum provides the essential protein, fat, antibodies (immunoglobulins) and vitamins that calves need to begin their development.

    Liquid Feed

    • Once the calves have consumed the colostrum, they should be started on a liquid feed in the form of a milk replacer. There are a number of milk replacers on the market, which differ in terms of quality and what they use as bases. The cheapest use plant-based proteins, but these are difficult for young calves to digest and are not recommended.

      Replacers which use animal plasma, egg-based protein, or milk-based protein are preferable. Calves need between eight and 10 ounces per feeding to encourage proper growth.

    Starter Feed

    • Starter feed should be offered to calves early in their liquid feed phase and increased in use as they become accustomed to it. It is largely responsible for their growth and helps prepare them for the traumatic weaning process they must all face within their first seven months. Further, it is this which allows for the growth of rumen papillae tissue.

      Starter feed can include any number of ingredients, though cereal grains are among the most common bases. These grains give feed a palatable texture for the often-selective calves, and contain high levels of fermentable carbohydrates for energy.

      It is starter feed which will be the primary source of growth and nutrition until it is time for weaning, after which the calves will begin eating grass and hay.

    Water

    • Water is of great importance to calves and should be provided within the first three days. It must be kept separate from milk replacer and starter feed to allow it to assist in the development of rumen bacteria, which calves lack at birth. Further, it promotes increased consumption of feed, thus furthering the positive effects the feed provides.