Calf Management Calf Management

Initial ExaminationInitial Examination

• • Clean mouth and noseClean mouth and nose• • Make sure it is breathingMake sure it is breathing– – If not, check heart beatIf not, check heart beat– – Look at eyeLook at eye

• • Check navelCheck navel– – BleedingBleeding– – HerniaHernia– – DipDip

• • Check mouthCheck mouth• • Extra teatsExtra teats

Basic Care Basic Care

•Colostrum

•Comfort

•Consistency

•Cleanliness

•Calories

Calostrum Calostrum TasksTasks

– – Remove the calf fromRemove the calf fromthe cow within 30 minthe cow within 30 min– – Have 4 quarts of goodHave 4 quarts of goodcolostrum from onecolostrum from onecowcow– – Warm colostrumWarm colostrum– – Give it to the calf asGive it to the calf assoon as it wants tosoon as it wants tosuck but not longersuck but not longerthan 4 hoursthan 4 hours

TrainingTraining– – Importance ofImportance ofremoving the calf isremoving the calf isto avoid manureto avoid manuremealsmeals– – How to use anHow to use anesophageal feederesophageal feeder• • Calf positionCalf position• • Holding the headHolding the head• • Giving the rightGiving the rightamountamount

What is GOOD colostrum?What is GOOD colostrum?

• • From a cow or first calf heifer is healthyFrom a cow or first calf heifer is healthy• • Donor is vaccinatedDonor is vaccinated• • Cow or first calf heifer has been in prefresh Cow or first calf heifer has been in prefresh

group 2 – 3 weeksgroup 2 – 3 weeks• • Udder is prepared just like milk was going to Udder is prepared just like milk was going to

the saleable milk tankthe saleable milk tank• • Cow is milked within 4 hours of calvingCow is milked within 4 hours of calving• • If colostrum isn’t fed right away, it is in If colostrum isn’t fed right away, it is in

refrigeratorrefrigerator• • If colostrum is older than 5-days, it is thrown If colostrum is older than 5-days, it is thrown

outout

If there isn’t enough colostrum, you If there isn’t enough colostrum, you need frozen colostrum or 2 packsneed frozen colostrum or 2 packsof colostrum replacement product.of colostrum replacement product.

Colostrum ReplacementColostrum ReplacementProductsProducts

Using the Esophageal FeederUsing the Esophageal Feeder

Nose below ears

Calf standing

Comfort Comfort

• • Straw for newbornsStraw for newborns– – Critical temperatureCritical temperaturerange is 55-75 Frange is 55-75 F– – Use less energy toUse less energy tostay warm and havestay warm and havemore to grow andmore to grow andfight diseasefight disease• • Deep, dry beddingDeep, dry bedding3” deep3” deep

Consistency Consistency

• • Same feedSame feed– – What’s in itWhat’s in it– – How it’s mixedHow it’s mixed– – TemperatureTemperature– – Way it’s fedWay it’s fed• • Same time each daySame time each day• • Same patternSame pattern• • Water given withinWater given within20-30 minutes of20-30 minutes ofmilk or beforemilk or beforesleepingsleeping• • Same penSame pen

Cleanliness Cleanliness

CleanlinessCleanliness• • Maternity penMaternity pen• • Cows in maternity penCows in maternity pen• • Transport cartTransport cart• • People moving andPeople moving andhandling calveshandling calves• • Warming, holding orWarming, holding ordrying areadrying area• • Calf housingCalf housing• • Feeding equipmentFeeding equipment• • FeedsFeeds

Calories Calories

Liquid Feed for CalvesLiquid Feed for CalvesProtein Protein FatFat

Whole MilkWhole Milk 26-27%26-27% 30%30%

ConventionalConventionalMilk ReplacersMilk Replacers

20-22%20-22% 10-22%10-22%

Intensive Milk Intensive Milk ReplacersReplacers

26-30%26-30% 15-20%15-20%

Feed to the genetic potential.

Finding sick calves Finding sick calves • • Early detection ofEarly detection ofdisease is adisease is achallenge, especiallychallenge, especiallyrespiratory diseaserespiratory disease– – Appetite change mayAppetite change maybe very subtlebe very subtle– – Fever isn’t reliableFever isn’t reliable• • Watch the calvesWatch the calvesthat don’t lie downthat don’t lie downafter eatingafter eating

Know who is most susceptibleKnow who is most susceptible

• • DiarrheaDiarrhea– – From birth to 14From birth to 14daysdays• • RespiratoryRespiratory– – From 3 weeksFrom 3 weeksthrough weaningthrough weaning• • NavelsNavels– – 5 days to 14 days5 days to 14 days

Find the fecal scores 2, 3 orFind the fecal scores 2, 3 orwith bloodwith blood

Extrafeeding ofelectrolytes

Two extrafeedings ofelectrolytes

Antibiotics ifbloody orsick

Signs of Respiratory Signs of Respiratory ProblemsProblems

Respiratory scoring criteria Respiratory scoring criteria

Respiratory Scoring Criteria:Respiratory Scoring Criteria:Nasal DischargeNasal Discharge

0 1 2 3

Respiratory Scoring Criteria:Respiratory Scoring Criteria:Eye DischargeEye Discharge

0 1 2 3

Respiratory Scoring Criteria:Respiratory Scoring Criteria:Ear ScoreEar Score

0 1 2 3

Best Scoring ReportsBest Scoring Reports

• • Twice weekly from 3Twice weekly from 3weeks to weaningweeks to weaning• • After treating theAfter treating thecalf for 5 to 6 dayscalf for 5 to 6 days• • Before they go to aBefore they go to agroup pengroup pen

•Colostrum•Comfort•Consistency•Cleanliness•Calories