How to Feed a Baby Cow With a Feeding Tube

Baby cows need to be fed if they cannot nurse, if they are removed from their mothers at birth or if they are weak due to dehydration from scours. Sometimes the calf can suck a bottle nipple, but if not, you may have to use a feeding tube to get nourishment and fluids into your calf.

Use a feeding system designed for calves, consisting of an esophageal probe, tube, clamp and fluid container. The Oregon State University Extension Services indicates that the probe contains a bulb designed to avoid the trachea and protect the calf.

Things You'll Need

  • Tube feeder
  • Colostrum
  • Milk
  • Electrolytes and vital fluids
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Inspect the feeding tube and its parts to ensure they are clean, dry and undamaged.

    • 2

      Prepare colostrum for newborn baby cows by warming it slowly to 104 degrees F. According to Oregon State University, warming the colostrum too quickly can kill part of the protein antibodies that are so important to newborn calves.

    • 3

      Warm whole milk or milk replacer to room temperature for baby cows who cannot nurse. Raising milk to room temperature allows the calf to regulate its body temperature more easily.

    • 4

      Prepare special formulations of electrolytes and vital fluids for baby cows suffering dehydration from scours. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure of the amount of liquid to feed your calf.

    • 5

      Fill the fluid container (bag or jug) with prepared fluid.

    Feeding

    • 6

      Determine how much tubing to insert into the baby cow's esophagus. The State of Victoria's Department of Primary Industries recommends measuring from the tip of the calf's nose to the point of its elbow behind the front leg and marking this length on the tube with tape.

    • 7

      Dip the tube in warm water to keep it pliable if the weather is cold. Also dip the tube in mineral or vegetable oil to help it slide more easily down the calf's throat.

    • 8

      Position the clip about midway along the tube, and place the tip of the tube in the fluid container.

    • 9

      Place the bulb end of the tube in the baby cow's mouth, running it slowly along the tongue to the back of the mouth. The calf should start chewing and swallowing once the tube is past the tongue, making insertion easy. Do not force the tube into place, instead allow the baby cow's swallowing action to pull the tube into the esophagus.

    • 10

      Unclip the tube and raise the fluid container to allow liquids to flow into the calf's stomach. Do not force the liquid through the tube by squeezing the bag or shaking the jug. Calves will retain more fluids with a slower flow rate.

    • 11

      Pull gently on the tube to remove it from the baby cow's esophagus when feeding is complete.

    • 12

      Clean and sanitize all equipment and allow to drain and dry.