A calf every year is one of the key indicators of successful dairy farming. Unfortunately, over 60% of newborn calves die before they are 6 months old. This is due to poor management.
The management of the young calves starts immediately after calving down.
Day 1
Weigh the calf and record the weight in a new card immediately after the birth. The birth weight should always be taken as it determines the weight at which the calf will be weaned. It is also a reference for calculating the weight gain rate in the first two weeks.
Feed three litres of colostrum within the first hour of birth gradually using a nipple bottle. This is important since the uptake of the antibodies in colostrum is highest in the first hours.
Feed colostrum as many times as possible in the first 12 hours of birth. The ability of the calf to absorb the antibodies from the colostrum is best between the first 4-6 hours of birth. This reduces by 50% after 12 hours and after 24 hours the calf can hardly absorb any antibodies at all.
DAY 2-27
Feed amount equivalent to 12-14% of the body weight of the calf whether you are feeding mothers milk or milk replacers. This is mostly 6 kegs per day divided into equal portions.
Introduce concentrates (DAIRY MEAL) after one week of the calf’s life. Calf starter can be fed to transition from the calf from the ‘mike-only’ stage.
Sufficient clean water should be available at all times for proper rumen functioning. The water and feeds troughs should be of different colours
Day 28-35
Introduce fresh and palatable fodder such as Lucerne to the calf at the beginning of this stage. Feed also 0.5-1kg of starter per day and gradually reduce milk or milk replacer. Ensure there is enough clean and easily accessible water for the calf.
Day 28-56
Reduce the milk feeding gradually as you increase forages and concentrates. Normally, the calf should be weaned at around 8 weeks when the birth weight is double. If not attained, then milk feeding should be continued. Read Also: what mastitis is?
The quantity of milk produced per lactation purely depends on how the lactating cow was fed with colostrum in the first 6 weeks.
