1. Milk: Calves are born with a simple four-chambered stomach and, like human babies, they are nourished by milk from their mothers (known as colostrum and later, regular milk) during their early stage of life. Colostrum provides essential antibodies that help protect the calf from various diseases. Milk is a highly nutritious food that provides energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals necessary for growth.
2. Calf Starter Feed: As calves gradually wean from milk, they are introduced to calf starter feed, a type of pelleted or texturized feed специально formulated to meet their specific needs. Calf starter feed typically contains high-quality ingredients like grains (e.g., corn, oats), protein sources (e.g., soy meal, fishmeal), vitamins, and minerals.
3. Forage: As calves grow and develop, they start to develop a more complex rumen, allowing them to digest roughage. Forage, such as hay or pasture, is an important part of a juvenile cow's diet and provides essential nutrients like fiber, protein, and energy. Hay is usually fed as dry matter, but grazing on pasture can also be an option when available.
4. Concentrates: In addition to milk, calf starter, and forage, juvenile cows may also be provided with concentrates to meet their nutritional requirements. Concentrates are typically energy-dense and contain ingredients such as grains (e.g., corn, barley), protein (e.g., soy meal, wheat middlings), and supplements (e.g., vitamins, minerals, and additives).
5. Feed Additives: Depending on the specific needs and production goals, feed additives may be included in a juvenile cow's diet to enhance growth, health, and performance. These additives can include probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, antibiotics (under veterinary supervision), hormones (in limited cases), and other compounds designed to improve digestion, nutrient absorption, immunity, and overall well-being.
It's essential to work with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist to determine the most appropriate and balanced diet for your juvenile cows. The specific feed components and quantities may vary based on fattori such as age, breed, growth stage, climate, available feed resources, and your farming objectives.