Rev. Bras. Saúde Prod. Anim., Salvador, v.

25, 01 - 19, 20240001, 2024

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1519-994020240001

Animal Production and Environment

Received on: 18/01/2024
Accepted on: 01/03/2024
Management of buffalo calves

Manejo de bezerras bubalinas

SILVA, Yasmin Aparecida da1 SILVA-NETO, Carlos de Melo3

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-9271-1720 http://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-8624-3836

FERRO, Rafael Alves da Costa2 TOMAZELLO, Danilo Augusto2

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3722-1005 http://orcid.org 0000-0001-8194-0181

FERRO, Diogo Alves da Costa2 FREITAS, Paulo Vitor Divino Xavier de2
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5135-6734 http://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-2671-1030

1
Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – UTFPR – PPZ - Campus Dois Vizinhos,
Estrada Boa Esperança, km 4 – Zona Rural, Dois Vizinhos – PR, Brasil
2
Universidade Estadual de Goiás – UEG, Campos Oeste, R. da Saudade, 56 - Vila Eduarda, São
Luís de Montes Belos/GO, Brasil
3
Instituto Federal de Goiás – IFG, Polo de Inovação, Goiânia - GO, Brasil
* Mail for correspondence: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

One of the main stages in bubalinoculture is breeding calves, because this phase is
defined by the quality of the animals that will be the future property matrices. The
breeding phase extends from birth to weaning, and is delicate and precise; consequently,
attending to characteristics of extreme importance in dairy farming activity such as
behavioral and health aspects will aid these animals to express all of their genetic
potential. Since this life phase of the animal does not generate immediate economic
return to the producer, it ends up not receiving the necessary attention, contributing to
low zootechnical indices and high production costs. Adopting adequate management
practices is essential for the productive development of the animal that will guarantee
the future good productivity of the farm. In view of the above, the objective of this
study is to present the management of buffalo calves through a literature review,
emphasizing that proper feeding, correct management and disease prevention are
fundamental to ensuring the well-being and health of calves. These factors, together
with a clean and safe environment, can maximize the productive potential of these
animals. It is therefore essential that producers are well-informed and prepared to
properly care for these animals during this crucial phase of their lives.
Keywords: dairy activity; buffaloes; create; animal development.

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RESUMO

Uma das principais etapas na bubalinocultura leiteira é a criação de bezerras, pois nesta
fase é definido pela qualidade quais animais serão as futuras matrizes da propriedade. A
fase de cria se estende do nascimento ao desmame, é delicada e precisa,
consequentemente, atender as características de extrema importância na atividade
leiteira como, aspectos comportamentais e sanitários, favorecendo com que esses
animais expressem todo seu potencial genético. Devido ao fato dessa fase de vida do
animal não gerar retorno econômico imediato ao produtor, ela acaba não recebendo a
atenção necessária, contribuindo para índices zootécnicos baixos e custos de produção
elevados. A adoção de práticas adequadas de manejo é essencial para o
desenvolvimento produtivo do animal que garantirá no futuro a boa produtividade da
fazenda. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se apresentar, por meio de revisão de literatura, o
manejo de bezerras bubalinas, ressaltando que a alimentação adequada, o manejo
correto e a prevenção de doenças são fundamentais para garantir o bem-estar e a saúde
das bezerras. Esses fatores, juntamente com um ambiente limpo e seguro, podem
maximizar o potencial produtivo desses animais. Portanto, é essencial que os produtores
estejam bem informados e preparados para cuidar adequadamente desses animais
durante essa fase crucial de suas vidas.
Palavras-chave: atividade leiteira; búfalos; cria; desenvolvimento animal.

INTRODUCTION farming, and were in turn started to be

used for milk and meat (BERNARDES,
The buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was 2007).
originally introduced in small quantities Based on current data from the
in the northern region of Brazil at the Brazilian Institute of Geography and
end of the 19th century to be used for Statistics (2021), the Brazilian buffalo
towing. These animals were imported herd is around 1.5 million animals,
from Asia and Europe (BERNARDES, distributed across all five regions, with
2006). breeding predominating in the North of
Buffalo farming began to gain notoriety the country.
around 1980, a period in which its Dairy buffalo farming is an activity
zootechnical indexes became known, which has become popular worldwide
especially in less fertile soils in areas in recent years, mainly due to the milk
which made the growth of cattle characteristics which has a higher
farming impossible (BORGHESE, protein and fat content compared to
2005). buffalo milk, thus becoming the second
With the increase in exploring buffalo most exploited milk in the world. These
characteristics, it was observed that characteristics make buffalo milk a raw
these animals had the potential to be material for producing high-value-
introduced into areas used for cattle

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added derivatives (DOMENICO & Brazil occurred in 1890 through Dr.

MOTTA, 2022). Vicente Chermont de Miranda, who
The future of success in the dairy purchased some buffaloes of the
industry is linked to the management of Carabao breed for Marajó Island. These
animals, which despite being rustic and buffaloes belonged to fugitives from
easily adapted to different conditions French Guiana who were shipwrecked
and locations, need care, especially in on the coasts of the Island (ABCB,
the early stages of life. Calf 2023).
management in the breeding phase in Four buffalo breeds are currently
particular plays an important role in the recognized by the ABCB, namely
development of the dairy sector. Carabao, Jafarabadi, Mediterranean
Although they are the future of and Murrah. They are known for their
livestock farming, calves are often triple aptitude (meat, milk and work
neglected in daily management as they production), in addition to showing
do not offer immediate capital returns to rusticity, high docility, resistance and
the producer, but care for this phase of good adaptability (VIEIRA et al., 2011).
the animal’s life is essential According to ABCB (2023), Murrah is
(KHARKAR et al., 2019). the most abundant breed in Brazil and is
As the performance of buffalo dairy a great investment for those who want
tomorrow is a reflection of today’s to produce mozzarella, with milk
breeding, the necessary care for buffalo production of around 1,650 liters
calves is essential, providing adequate measured in 305 days.
management, nutrition and health at this According to data from FAO (2020),
stage of life, ensuring successful dairy buffalo farming in Brazil produces
production and the sustenance of the around 14% of the milk consumed in
dairy industry (SIDDHAPARA et al., the country. This is a sector with great
2022). potential in the dairy market, as buffalo
In view of the above, the objective of milk has attractive qualities, including
this study was to gather theoretical its white color obtained due to the low
support via a literature review on the concentration of carotenoid pigments
management of buffalo calves, and a slightly sweet flavor
emphasizing their applications in the (BORGHESE, 2013).
practical field. In addition to visual and palatable
parameters, buffalo milk has unique
DEVELOPMENT characteristics, presenting higher
mineral and protein levels when
Buffalo dairy farming in Brazil compared to cow’s milk, as shown in
According to the Brazilian Association Table 1, making it important for human
of Buffalo Breeders (Associação health (SILVA et al., 2021).
Brasileira de Criadores de Búfalos - Another important factor is that there is
ABCB), the introduction of buffaloes in a beta-casein variant of type A2 in the

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composition of buffalo milk and not that does not occur in the A2 variant, as
type A1, thus producing a smaller histidine is replaced by proline and the
amount of beta-casomorphin-7. release of beta-casomorphin-7 is not
Histidine is established in the A1 produced, or occurs in insignificant
variant that occupies position 67 of the quantities (shown in Figure 1), resulting
beta casein chain, which benefits the in milk production which is easier to
release of BCM-7 during the enzymatic digest (JIANQIN et al., 2016).
digestion process, and constitutes a fact

Figure 1 – Difference between A1 and A2 beta variants – milk casein

Source: WOODFORD, (2007).

Table 1. Chemical composition of cow milk and buffalo milk.

Milk components Cow milk Buffalo milk
Proteins (%) 3.70 4.50
Fat (%) 3.68 8.16
Lactose (%) 4.70 4.90
Water 88.00 83.00
Ashes (%) 0.70 0.70
Total dry extract (%) 12.00 17.00
Vitamin A (U.I) 185.49 204.27
Phosphorus (mg) 82.00 120.00
Calcium (mg) 107.00 180.00
Iron (mg) 0.07 0.12
Total cholesterol (mg%) 319.00 214.00
Source: Adapted from (VERRUMA & SALGADO, 1994).

Buffalo milk has already gained a cottage and fresh cheese, butter, cream
prominent place in the dairy market cheese, provolone cheese and the
through its physical and chemical traditional buffalo mozzarella are
characteristics, mainly through the already found on the consumer market
development of its derivatives which (DADARIO et al., 2018).
add a lot of value to the milk. Products
such as ricotta, yogurt, dulce de leche,

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Management of buffalo calves The buffalo species has striking

Raising calves is one of the many characteristics such as rusticity and
challenges faced by the dairy industry adaptability, as well as reproductive
that most farms neglect, with the false efficiency. Buffaloes can produce and
belief that as little money as possible reproduce up to 20 years of age, with a
should be spent on these animals birth rate of more than 80% and a
because they are not in their production mortality rate of less than 3% per year
phase (TEIXEIRA et al., 2017). (MOREIRA et al., 1994). According to
However, the calves have crucial value Pereira et al. (2007), although buffaloes
given that they will be future have a longer reproductive life, they
replacement matrices as they come from reach puberty later than cattle, showing
the farm’s genetic improvement their first estrus between 15-18 months
programs. Therefore, care for calves of age.
from birth to weaning is extremely Buffalo pregnancy lasts around ten
necessary, as it is at this stage that the months, or 315 days on average
highest mortality rate occurs (FONSECA, 1986). These animals have
(COELHO, 2009). a birth interval of approximately 361
Inadequate management during this days, however this period can change
period can increase the length of service depending on the reproductive
and even the age at first birth, which biotechnologies involved and
will directly affect the production cost environmental factors (MORAES et al.,
of this animal when replaced. It is 2014). One of the peculiarities of this
important to highlight that failures species is that they are seasonal
during this period also negatively polyestrous with short days, but they
contribute to the development of can be in heat all year round in the
productive potential, directly affecting equatorial zone (CAMPANILE et al.,
the entire milk production chain 2010).
(OLIVEIRA et al., 2019). The first care for the calf begins before
Contrary to popular belief, care for birth in the pre-partum period, a delicate
calves begins even before they are born. phase due to the fetus development and
Therefore, it is necessary that the people colostrum production by the buffalo’s
involved in management are qualified mammary glands (TAO &
and bear in mind the importance of care MONTEIRO, 2016).
in the pre-partum period and during the This period can also be called the dry
period after birth until weaning for a period, comprising the last 60 days of
good result and so that failures do not pregnancy, when milking stops and the
occur and harm animal growth animal is not producing. Buffaloes rest
(OLIVEIRA et al., 2005; SILVA, at this stage and prepare their mammary
2017). gland for the next lactation (CAIXETA
& CARMO, 2020).
Gestational and pre-delivery period

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The colostrogenesis process takes place Birth is a critical event which can
during the last week of pregnancy compromise the well-being of the
(colostrum production), where mother and the calf, therefore adequate
antibodies (igG) are transferred to the monitoring is necessary to prevent
mammary gland. The mammary gland complications and progression to a
undergoes cell renewal during this dystocic birth. For this, it is essential to
period, making rest between lactations a identify the beginning of labor
key factor for the buffalo to produce (NAPOLITANO et al., 2020).
quality colostrum in good quantity The main signs of pre-partum in
(CARVALHO et al., 2017). buffaloes include: enlargement of the
In addition to the dry period, a udder (more noticeable in primiparous
vaccination strategy during pregnancy is females), the effect of which is
essential to both prevent diseases in noticeable during the two to three days
buffaloes and to increase specific prior to parturition through visualizing
antibodies that will guarantee passive tense mammary veins; edema of the
immunity in calves after ingestion of vulva (appears very flaccid) during the
colostrum. It is very important to 24 to 36 hours before birth, and the
vaccinate against Salmonella sp and occurrence of watery diarrhea that
Pasteurella haemolytica during the dry resolves after birth (DAS et al., 2013).
period, as these pathogens are the main
causes of diarrhea and respiratory First care for the newborn
problems in newborn calves (BITTAR The neonatal period is a phase of
et al., 2018). extraordinary importance in the lives of
Reproductive vaccines must be present calves, and lasts until 30 days of age.
in the form of a vaccination protocol After birth, calves are exposed to
and not only aim at the health of the extrauterine life and need to adapt to
buffalo, but also at the development of numerous physiological changes.
the calf. The main ones are: against Certain care is necessary for the animal
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, to have good health and good
Bovine Viral Diarrhea, development (SOARES, 2020).
Campylobacteriosis and Leptospirosis
(FISCHER, 2018). Colostrum
When the buffalo is close to giving birth Buffaloes have syndesmochorial
in the final days of pregnancy, it is placentas, which prevent the passage of
recommended that it be transferred to a antibodies from the mother to the fetus.
paddock/pasture where it has easy Therefore, calves are vulnerable at birth,
access to food and water, that the place being agammaglobulinemic or
is dry and shady, cozy and free from hypogammaglobulinemic with little or
cold so that the birth can happen no transplacental passage of
smoothly (CALDATO, 2019). immunoglobulins (SOUZA et al.,
2019).

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The immune system needs to be Newborn calves need nutrients such as

guaranteed in the first days of life by the fat, proteins, vitamins, minerals,
absorption of colostral lactoferrin, immune cells, cytokines and
immunoglobulins to ensure passive immunoglobulins (Ig) to promote
protection against infectious diseases healthy growth (ZARCULA et al.,
(diarrhea, respiratory diseases, etc.) and 2010). The average chemical
for the health and future growth of the composition of buffalo colostrum is
animal (WOODING et al., 1997). presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Chemical composition of buffalo colostrum.

Nutrient Mean
Fat (%) 11.31
Protein (%) 8.73
Lactose (%) 3.73
Total solids (%) 25.31
Ashes (%) 0.94
pH 6.01
Source: Adapted from (COROIAN et al., 2013).

The composition of colostrum is survival of newborns; for example, in

variable and depends on many factors, studies by Silva et al. (2021), newborn
such as the time elapsed since birth, calves fed higher colostrum volumes
parity (primiparous females have exhibited increased thermoregulatory
different immune content), age of the responses, better growth performance
animal, feeding during the dry period and immunity.
and the dry period duration of the It is important to emphasize that calves
buffaloes (WERNER, 2003). need to consume colostrum soon after
Colostrum contains insulin-like growth birth, given that the animal’s ability to
factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2) in high absorb immunoglobulins from
quantities, improving the colostrum decreases from six hours
gastrointestinal tract development and after birth, and the antibodies that are
function in the newborns, in addition to transmitted through colostrum can
stimulating the growth of the animal’s protect the calf for up to six weeks.
tissues and body (PENCHEV, 2008). During this period, the animal comes
Another function of colostrum is to be a into contact with infectious agents in the
laxative, as it allows the animal to begin environment which gradually stimulate
to form its immunity by contributing to the development of its immune system
adequate expulsion of meconium (DAS (PUPPEL et al., 2019).
et al., 2015).
Colostrum also has the function of Navel care
helping with thermoregulation for the

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The navel is a structure responsible for abdominal problems such as

communication between mother and omphalophlebitis, omphaloarteritis,
fetus during pregnancy. Maternal blood urachitis, omphaloarteriophlebitis, or
carries oxygen and nutrients to the fetus umbilical panvasculitis (TEIXEIRA et
through the umbilical cord, and al., 2021).
eliminates the catabolites generated by
the fetus (TEIXEIRA, 2018). Weighing and identification
The umbilical cord anatomically Weighing is the main tool for nutritional
consists of three important structures: adequacy and checking animal weight
the arteries, which act as those gains. The first weighing must be done
responsible for the calf’s blood shortly after birth using a scale
circulation, the vein that communicates (NASCIMENTO, 2019).
with the liver, and the urachus that Individual identification of animals is
connects with the bladder. The an important step in any registration
umbilical cord is cut at birth, the system and must be done as quickly as
arteries, veins and urachus are retracted possible, preferably during the first days
and positioned close to the abdominal of the calves’ life or after birth. To do
wall, while the skin that connects these this, a code is assigned identified by a
structures does not retract, forming the combination of letters, numbers or both,
umbilical stump. The umbilical stump which must be unique for each animal
represents a gateway for disease- (CAIXETA & CARMO, 2020).
causing agents (SIGNORETTI, 2018). The identification process must be
The animal’s umbilical cord must be performed by a properly trained team,
inspected immediately after birth and minimizing the animal’s suffering.
cut if it is long, so that it is no more than Furthermore, it must be carried out in
ten cm long, followed by aseptic suitable facilities and equipment in
treatment with 10% iodine solution on good working order. Advance planning
the first day of life and the following allows for greater security in carrying
days until the umbilical cord is out the operation (SCHMIDEK et al.,
completely mummified (PAULA & 2009).
RODRIGUES, 2020).
If the navel is not treated immediately Management in the first months of life
after birth, it can cause serious The management of calves continues
complications characterized by after birth in order to reduce the
infection with a systemic inflammatory morbidity and mortality rates of the
response. Umbilical infections can be animals. It is essential to implement
related to the environment, health, adequate hygiene and feeding practices
trauma and congenital factors. They can in these first months, which will
cause hernias, persistent urachus and guarantee the success of raising calves.
neoplasms, caused by infectious or non- (COSTA, 2006).
infectious bacteria. There are also

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Food management nutrients necessary for the calves’

The digestive system of ruminant development are provided by the liquid
animals at birth, as in the case of diet, obtained from milk or milk
buffaloes, is physiologically similar to replacer (AZEVEDO et al., 2016).
that of monogastric animals. There is It is recommended to provide whole
stimulation of the glossopharyngeal milk or its milk substitute for eight to 12
nerve, a tubular channel called the weeks at a temperature of 39ºC, divided
esophageal gutter, through which into meals (AZEVEDO et al., 2016).
swallowed milk is delivered directly According to Bittar et al. (2018), the
from the esophagus to the abomasum, greater the number of meals, the better,
so that the abomasum is the only fully as the ingestive behavior will be closer
developed and functional stomach. As a to natural when the calf remains with its
result, only liquid feed can be mother.
effectively used by pre-ruminant calves The liquid diet can be offered in two
a few days old (WATTIAUX, 2011). ways: natural or artificial breastfeeding.
The anatomical, physiological and In natural breastfeeding, the calf feeds
metabolic changes that occur in the pre- directly from the buffalo’s udder
ruminant digestive system are through breastfeeding, and can feed
characterized by the transition from from its own mother or from wet nurses
monogastric to ruminant digestion. (buffaloes that have mastitis or that for
Each of these changes can be some other reason cannot be milked). In
accelerated or altered by changing the artificial breastfeeding, animals receive
diet to which these animals are exposed. a liquid diet in buckets (with or without
Later, when the calf begins to consume nipples), bottles or automatic breast
solid foods, they first pass through the feeders (SILVA, 2018).
rumen, causing anatomical and The globally adopted recommendation
physiological changes in the pre- establishes that liquid diet provision
stomachs (CHURCH, 1974). should be restricted to approximately
10% of the calf’s live weight, aiming to
Liquid diet induce the consumption of a solid diet
After providing colostrum, transitional (concentrate, forage) which will allow
milk must be provided for at least two early weaning and reduce the cost of
days, as although it no longer has food (AZEVEDO et al., 2016).
immunological function, it has greater
nutritional value than regular milk. Solid diet
Transition milk is the milk secretion Providing a solid diet during
produced by buffaloes during the breastfeeding is important for rumen
transition from colostrum to marketable development. Forage in particular
whole milk (SILVA et. al., 2014). favors an increase in size and
The consumption of solids in the first concentrates favor the growth of rumen
days of life is low or none, therefore the

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papillae, where nutrients are absorbed For their bodies to grow effectively, it is
(OLIVEIRA et al., 2015). necessary to adopt measures to control
Concentrated foods can be provided the various diseases arising from
from the first week of life using bacteria, viruses and parasites which
crumbled, textured and pelletized affect calves and their health, resulting
concentrates, as their physical form can in productive and economic losses
affect preference and palatability (KHAN et al., 2007).
(SUÁREZ, 2018). Calves can be hosts to lice
The following can be highlighted (Haematopinus tuberculatus), a parasite
regarding the composition of energy whose complete cycle occurs in the
concentrates: corn, rice, wheat, barley, animal’s body. This causes skin
sorghum and oats as the main sources. irritation, itching, and local scarring.
Soybean meal is the most used source Animals with severe infestations
when it comes to protein concentrated become restless, followed by weight
foods, however other foods such as loss and anemia characterized by pale
cottonseed meal and linseed are also mucous membranes. One way to
consumed. The use of non-protein identify whether the animal is infested
nitrogen sources such as urea is not or not would be to examine its tail,
recommended for calves up to three where it is possible to find adult lice or
months of age (FERREIRA et al., nits (SHRIVASTAVA et al., 2013).
2020). Two sprays using organophosphate
Bulky food that is rich in fiber must be insecticides and pyrethroids with an
provided for the animals’ free interval of 15 to 18 days can be used as
consumption, as they regulate the a form of treatment, which provide
amount to be ingested. The forage satisfactory control, or injectable
offered to calves is generally legumes or medications can be applied, such as
grasses, with legumes being better avermectin, which has good results
degraded than grasses and having a (MARAFON & LOURENÇO, 2022).
higher starch content and a higher Scabies is a skin disease caused by
fermentable organic matter content mites of the Sarcoptes and Psoroptes
(ROCHA et al., 2020). genera, which can affect calves.
Affected animals present spots on their
Health management coats, itching and hair loss
Although the buffalo is a species that (MARQUES, 2000). Topical products
easily adapts to adverse environments, based on pyrethroids and formamidine
there are essential precautions to be can be used for treatment, or
taken. These animals are susceptible to medications based on avermectin are
a wide variety of diseases, so good also recommended (LÓPEZ et al.,
health management is essential to obtain 2022).
good results (HIMMAT et al., 2013). Gastrointestinal worms are one of the
main problems which affect calves, and

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are similar to bovine worms, namely: etiological agent Salmonella ssp.,

Haemonchus spp, Ostertagia spp, causing fever, weakness, diarrhea and
Trichostrongylus spp, Cooperia spp, weight loss. The condition can progress
Bunostomum spp, Strongyloides spp, to pneumonia or a more serious illness
Nematodirus spp, Toxocara spp, when not treated correctly. Animals are
Oesophagostomum spp and Trichuris infected via the digestive route and
spp. Affected animals present anorexia, rarely via the umbilical route, making it
bristly and dull hair, weight loss, important to maintain sanitary
diarrhea, runny nose and watery eyes management and hygiene of the
(CHO & YOON, 2014). facilities, and to carry out navel healing
It is recommended to deworm calves 15 properly (DAMÉ, 2019).
days after birth to prevent and treat Calves can be born sick, and so as
gastrointestinal worms, repeating at 30, previously mentioned, buffaloes must
60, 180 and 360 days after birth. The be vaccinated in the last month of
medications used must be based on pregnancy and newborns at 15 days of
albendazole and ivermectin birth for prevention, repeating the
(BASTIANETTO et al., 2008). application after 30 days (FERREIRA
Pneumoenteritis is a bacterial disease et al., 2021).
found in newborns caused by the

Table 3. Annual calendar for controlling and preventing diseases that affect buffalo
calves.
Diseases Recommendations Period
Ectoparasites (lice and Use of insecticides Period of greatest
scabies) occurrence and rainy
season
Endoparasites Deworming at 15, 30, 60, After 180 days, carry out
(gastrointestinal worms) 90 and 180 days of age strategic control
Pneumoenteritis Calves vaccinate at 15 days Whole year
of age and revaccination
after 30 days
Foot and mouth disease Vaccinate the entire herd According to the
Agricultural Defense
calendar
Clostridiosis Vaccinate at 90 days of age Whole year
and revaccinate after 30
days
Rabies From the 4th month of age. Annually
Repeat annually
Brucellosis Vaccination for buffaloes May and November
aged 3 to 8 months

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Source: Adapted from (FIGUEIRÓ & SARAIVA, 2018).

According to Ferreira et al. (2020),

In addition to these main diseases there are basically three criteria used for
already mentioned, there are others that weaning calves: the age, where the
can affect calves, so implementing animal must be at least two months old;
preventive measures within the property weight, where birth weight should be
becomes essential. Therefore, the doubled during breastfeeding; and the
annual disease control and prevention consumption of concentrate. It is
calendar, shown in table 3, must be essential that the animal consumes a
followed to reduce economic losses minimum amount of concentrate, which
(BITTAR et al., 2018). is related to their rumen development. If
the animal is weaned before the ideal
Weaning amount, it is likely that its rumen is not
The transition from monogastric to developing properly, which will reduce
polygastric in ruminants occurs in three its potential for post-weaning weight
phases; the first lasts until the third gain.
week of life, when the diet is It is recommended that the minimum
predominantly liquid. As soon as the consumption for weaning is around
calf begins to receive a significant 1.5% of birth weight. This minimum
amount of concentrate, it enters the consumption should not be evaluated
second phase, which lasts until just once, as the consumption of
weaning. Then, the third phase begins concentrated feed for calves is highly
from the moment weaning is carried variable, so it is necessary to evaluate it
out, which will last the entire life of the three days in a row (SILVA, 2018).
animal; this phase involves the Another determining factor in
fermentation of carbohydrates, their preventing weight loss and a reduction
main energy source, and microbial in the animal’s growth and development
biomass, the main source of amino rates when weaning is carried out is the
acids (TEIXEIRA et al., 2017). consumption of forage. This
Defining the ideal time to wean and consumption physically stimulates the
carrying it out correctly is essential to rumen wall, increasing its volume and
ensure that the gains obtained during the muscle development (ZITNAN et al.,
breastfeeding phase are maintained. The 1998).
calf may lose weight and present
immunological compromise due to the FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
stress caused at this stage,
compromising the gains initially
obtained (WINDEYER, 2014). The first phase of a calf’s life is
extremely important for it to grow
healthily. With the introduction of

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correct management practices in raising BASTIANETTO, E.; FREITAS, C. M.

calves, it is expected that the health V.; BELLO, A. C. P. P.; CUNHA, A.
status will be improved and the P.; DALLA ROSA, R. C.; LEITE, R. C.
mortality rate reduced, resulting in Primeiro diagnóstico de Eimeria
greater profit for the rural producer, as bareillyi (Apicomplexa: Eimeridae) nas
these animals will be the next fezes de bezerros bubalinos (Bubalus
generation of the herd, the future in bubalis) naturalmente infectados no
milk production. The development of estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Revista
calves is influenced by several factors, Brasileira de Parasitologia
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