Calf Rearing Information

Improper calf rearing results in calves that will not grow as quickly as other calves, be more susceptible to disease, and will cost more to raise. Before the calf is born, the pregnant cow must have her dietary needs met to ensure her health as well as that of her unborn calf. Milking is gradually stopped six to eight weeks before calving to increase antibodies available in the colostrum. Vaccination and deworming requirements are addressed with a veterinarian. Vaccinations can help calves from getting scours, severe diarrhea that can result in death, caused by E.coli or the rotavirus.

  1. Birth

    • Calves are scheduled to be born very early in the year because the cold temperatures help to prevent disease. After the calf is born, his airway is cleared so he can breathe properly. A 2 to 7 percent tincture of iodine is applied to the naval to shrink blood vessels and help prevent joint-ill, a bacterial infection that causes a painful navel and swelling joints, also called navel-ill. Calves are dried off by the farmer with a clean towel if the mother does not do it. The wobbly calf will try standing within 20 minutes and attempt to nurse within two hours.

    Colostrum

    • Newborn calves lack antibodies (immunoglobulin), so he needs to drink the antibody filled colostrum as quickly as possible. Colostrum is the first milk the mother gives and it also contains proteins, minerals and vitamins and has a thick and creamy texture. The calf needs to consume about 10 percent of his entire body weight within six hours. After this, his ability to absorb the antibodies decreases. The colostrum is richest at the first milking and decreases continuously until there is very little or no colostrum left by the fourth milking.

    First Week

    • Calves removed from their mothers at about three days of age, as on dairy farms or for 4-H projects, are ready to be fed whole milk or milk replacer and will need to be bottle- or machine-fed. Calf diets need to be changed gradually over the course of four days to avoid digestive problems. When replacers are used, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Housing should be well-ventilated, and the calves must have dry bedding so they can keep warm and avoid pneumonia.

    Second Week to Weaning

    • Hay or straw is made available at all times for the calf to nibble on. Calves can be started on a coarse and palatable dry calf feed at seven days old. The dry feeds are what develop the rumen, the largest of the four stomach chambers of cattle. Fresh water is available at all times. Dehorning, castration and the removal of extra teats is done between three and four weeks of age. The first vaccinations are usually given at three to four weeks. Whole milk diets are supplemented with vitamins and minerals when the calf is six to seven weeks old.

    Weaning

    • When weaning calves from milk and milk replacements many factors are considered in order to reduce as much stress as possible. Good weaning candidates are healthy, disease-free and able to eat dry foods. There is a controversy about the ideal age for weaning, but most agree that the best age is between eight and 12 weeks. Some wean when those conditions are met and the calf is at least 143 lbs. Milk or milk replacer is gradually replaced by dry feed over five days. Calves, when possible, are weaned and housed together in small groups up to eight animals. These calves are raised together and are not mixed in with other groups to reduce stress and contact diseases.