Ruminant Management (ANS 212-3)
Management of calves
Objectives of proper calf management
To attain expected body weight at weaning
To have a cow that gives its first calf at the age of 2- 2 ½ years
Goals for a successful calf management system
Building the immune system of the calf as soon as possible after birth.
Reduce stress and microbial challenges to the calf.
Provide adequate nutrition
Provide proper treatments for sick calves
Care of the new born calf at birth
Clean away mucous from the nose and the mouth.
Raise the calf by its hind legs and make sure that breathing is initiated, especially after
difficult birth. Tickle the nasal cavity by straw or by pouring cold water on the calf's head,
which causes the grasping reflex in the calf.
Examine the calf for injuries and birth defects.
Naval/ umbilical cord should be tied about 1 inch below the abdominal wall and cut it 1 cm
away from the knot.
Dip or coat the navel with 7% tincture of iodine or Magosa/Neem oil
Feed ample amounts of colostrum as soon as possible within the first hour after birth. Use a
nipple bottle if necessary.
Give adequate warmth, protection from the rain and cold
Feeding of the new born calf
1) Feeding colostrum
Colostrum is the first secretion produced by the mammary gland of cows after calving (during first 4
days). It is a rich source of protein, fat, minerals and antibodies.
The total protein and fat in colostrum are higher while the lactose is lower than in milk (Table 1).
Colostrum contains nearly twice as much total solids as milk. This is attributed mainly to its higher
protein content (about fourfold) than milk
1 Mr. J.M.P. Jayasinghe Department of Animal Science Uva Wellassa University
Ruminant Management (ANS 212-3)
Most of the increase content in protein content is accounted for by the more than 56-fold increase in
immunoglobulin (Ig) content (Table 2). Colostrum of the first milking contains about 6% Ig. The Ig
content then decreases by about 30 and 70% in the second and third milking, respectively.
Characteristics of colostrum
High in easily digestible nutrients and minerals
Create laxative effects and helps in the expulsion of epithelium of fetal digestive system and
enable the functions of intestinal tract.
Rich source of most mineral (Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn) and vitamins (Vitamin A, Riboflavin,
Choline, Thiamine)
Contain several growth factors (e.g.insulin-like growth factors I & II, epidermal growth
factor, and nerve growth factor)
Contains hormones (e.g. insulin, cortisol and thyroxin) to stimulate the development of the
gastrointestinal tract and other systems in the newborn calf.
Feeding of colostrum
Calf should be directed to suckle colostrum as early as possible (within the first 30 minutes) because
the permeability efficiency of the antibody molecules through the digestive epithelium decreases from
12 hours.
On average, the calf should receive 3-4 meals of colostrum with the first 24 hours of life.
Feed 5-10% of colostrum of its body weight (2-6 kg) for the first 3 days.
Avoid overfeeding to prevent digestive disturbances and diarrhea.
Feeding of colostrum at body temperature ensures the higher digestibility.
Proper cleaning of udder by washing and drying avoid any contamination.
Excess colostrum can be refrigerated (up to one week) or can be frozen (up to a year) without losing
Ig content or activity.
If bottle feeding is practiced, put colostrum into a teat bucket and place it in the cubicle at a height of
about 70cm, put colostrum twice a day and clean the bucket properly before every feeding.
If the mother is died during parturition/ has mastitis condition/ problems associated with normal milk
let down, allow the calf to suckle colostrum from a cow at same postpartum stage (foster mother) or
can be used bottle feeding. If foster mother is not available, provide calf with a colostrum substitute.
Passive Immunity Transfer
Newborn calves have no disease protection, as blood antibodies cannot cross the placental barrier
from the cow to the calf. Thus the newborn calf is completely dependent on the immunoglobulin (Ig)
passed from its mother via colostrum. The acquisition of Ig through gut absorption is known as
passive transfer.
2 Mr. J.M.P. Jayasinghe Department of Animal Science Uva Wellassa University
Ruminant Management (ANS 212-3)
Composition of artificial colostrum (source: Ibrahim, 2000)
2.5 pints of cow milk, 2-3 egg white, 0.5 pint of lime water, Caster oil, Cod-liver oil, Sodium citrate,
Antibiotics, Vitamins
2) Feeding of milk
Can be fed either naturally or artificially
Calf should consume 8-10% of its body weight until it is 4 weeks old.
Naturally feeding of milk (suckling)
The milker can harvest only about 75-80% of the milk under any efficient milking procedure.
Therefore the calf can be all0owed to suckle after milking completed
General guidelines: if the production of the cow is high, milk 3 teats completely and 4 th partially. If
the production is moderate, milk 3 teats and leave the 4th quarter without milking and the 4th quarter
can be rotated at each subsequent milking.
Disadvantages of natural feeding
Calf may not receive the required amount of milk (since cow’s daily milk production cannot be
clearly define)
Cow may get used to let down milk upon calf stimulation
Artificial feeding of natural feeding
Feed immediately after milking and warm up the milk to 37 °C (if cold).
Gradually train the calf to drink milk from the bucket/ bottle feeding with a nipple. (Should be
properly cleaned after each use and round edges may help to easy cleaning and nipple should be
sterilized)
Advantages of artificial feeding of milk
Correct daily requirement can be supplied
Less excitement at early separation compared to late separation/weaning (since cow-calf bond is not
strong)
Disadvantages of the artificial feeding of milk
Labor intensive
Need to practice the calf properly
Due to absence of suckling stimulus, the esophageal groove will not fold and this will direct milk to
rumen and cause digestive disturbances. (why ??)
Buckets and nipples get easily contaminated causing diarrhea
3 Mr. J.M.P. Jayasinghe Department of Animal Science Uva Wellassa University
Ruminant Management (ANS 212-3)
Esophageal groove reflex
Esophageal groove consists of a muscular fold extending from the cardia to the reticulo-omasal
orifice. The lips of the muscular fold form a groove which has the effect of leading the swallowed
liquids directly to the abomasum. Nerve receptors are present in the mouth and the pharynx and the
central nervous system involved.
3) Feeding of roughages and concentrations
Objectives
To reduce the amount of milk given (in terms of profit not economical to give milk for long
time)
Enhance the development rate of rumen
To facilitate early weaning of the calf
General guidelines for feeding
Introduce good quality hay and concentrates from 10th day onwards.
Concentrate mixture of coconut poonac and rice bran in the ration 1:1 or 1:2. If calf consumes
sufficient amount of roughages, reduce the daily ration of milk from 4th week and keep fill the feed
rack fill all the time.
As long as the calf remains on milk, the rumen remains undeveloped. When calves begin consuming
solid food, a microbial population becomes established in the rumen and reticulum. End products of
microbial fermentation (i.e. volatile fatty acids: Butyric and propionic (mostly butyric) acids are
the major stimulants of tissue growth of the rumen) are responsible for the development of the
rumen. This occurs as early as 3 weeks of age with most feeding programs. If grain feeding with or
without forage is started during the first few weeks of life, the rumen will become larger and heavier
with papillae
Weaning
Guidelines
At 10-12% of the mature body weight or when reached the twice the weight at birth. About 3
months old (Calves are usually weaned by weight and appetite rather than age)
Importance of offering forages before weaning
Forages are important in stimulating rumination, begins to take place at about two months of age.
However, high forage intake may slow down the development of ruminal papilla due to lower
production of propionate and butyrate relative to acetate.
Importance of calf starter
Rumen development takes place rapidly between 4 and 8 weeks of age. Starters are more important
than forages as a source of fermentable carbohydrate for rumen development. Production of volatile
4 Mr. J.M.P. Jayasinghe Department of Animal Science Uva Wellassa University
Ruminant Management (ANS 212-3)
fatty acids, particularly propionic and butyric acid in the rumen stimulates development of the rumen
and the reticulorumen.
Several types of calf starters are available
Pre starter: contains milk powder as well as cereal grains, oilseed meals, byproduct feeds and
mineral-vitamin mix.
Regular (grain) starter: 16 to 20% crude protein and contains cereal grains, oilseed meals,
byproduct feeds and mineral-vitamin mix.
High fiber starter (complete ration): complete calf rations contain up to 50% forage or fibrous
byproducts such as cottonseed hulls, oat hulls or sun-cured alfalfa
Housing for calves
Housing facilities should be comfortable for the calf and convenient for the stockperson. General
requirements include individual housing for each calf, dry, well ventilated pens with ample of
bedding, and isolation from older animals.
Use either individual pens or group pens (6-8 calves/ 2m2 each).
Other special management practices
1) Identification methods - ear tags/tattooing/ ear notching/ electronic chips/ picture/ branding
2) Remove extra teats - Extra teats on cow's udder can be a site for infection and may interfere with
machine milking. Extra teats should be removed as a soon as they can be identified. Should be
removed at the line where the teat joins the udder using sharp scissors or a serrated curved shears.
3) Dehorning/ debudding
With caustic potash – done with first week
Clip the hair of an area about 2.5 cm in diameter, over the rudimentary horns. Spread a little heavy
grease around the outer edge of this area, to prevent chemical running to the eyes.
Stick is rubbed on the skin area immediately over the horn until the hair is removed and skin becomes
reddish color. (Around 15 seconds)
Prevent animal entering to outside if it is a rainy day and leave the calf alone for at least one day.
With a hot iron (electrical or charcoal) – done within 2-3 weeks
Clip the hair of the horn area; place the heated iron on the horn button, at short intervals for 5-10
seconds each time. Heat till the base of horn becomes deep copper to kill the cells.
4) Grooming – use a special comb to remove foreign materials
5 Mr. J.M.P. Jayasinghe Department of Animal Science Uva Wellassa University
