I KRUUSE Livestock Spend a little extra time on your calves and increase general health and survival rate. It is all about colostrum and hygiene. The calf is born without antibodies, they are completely dependent on getting antibodies from the colostrum to build a strong immune system. The antibodies IgG from the colostrum can pass through the gut wall in the first hours of the calf’s life. The common recommendation is that the calf needs the colostrum within the first 6 hours of their life. A Jersey calf should be fed 3L and a Holstein calf should be fed 4L within this timeframe. Studies show that without an active plan to secure that the colostrum is fed in the recommended quantity, and instead leaving the calf alone to suckle, an average of 1/3 of calves will have an IgG level which is too low. Focus on obtaining a good immune status in the calves will decrease calf mortality. A low antibody level will increase the risk of infections with for example Rotavirus or Coronavirus which leads to diarrhea with a high mortality. To make sure the calf gets the best possible start, the following should be done: 1: Test the quality of the colostrum with a colostrum densimeter, to make sure that what you are feeding is good enough. It is a good idea to have a colostrum bank = freezing portions of good quality colostrum, for use if a cow is producing low quality colostrum. 2: Feed the calf with colostrum within the first 6 hours, using a calf drencher 3: The next couple of days, feed the calf using the calf drencher with the teat to let the calf drink for itself. The advantage is that the longer drinking time will increase saliva production which is good for the pH balance in the abomasum. 4: Pay attention to hygiene. Make sure all equipment used for calves is regularly and thoroughly cleaned. Biofilm from old milk etc. is an excellent growth medium for coli bacteria endangering the health of the calves. 5: Make sure the calves have clean and dry bedding and remember to clean the huts before a new calf moves in. www.kruuse.com © KRUUSE · October 2017 · 20057
Download PDF file