After the mild winter, bacteria and parasites such as crypto and rotavirus that might normally be killed off in hard frosts are still harbouring in sheds and feeding equipment. The mild weather isn’t helping either. Milk for calves is going sour after only a few hours, when normally it would last out in the open for a few days. All we can do is to reduce the disease pressure on calves.
Feeding enough colostrum is the first and most important step. Stomach tube three litres of colostrum to newborn calves as soon as you can.
Providing a dry lie is the next step. Keep straw topped up. You should be able to kneel on the bed without your knees getting wet.
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Good hygiene is an important preventative measure. Consider cleaning out and disinfecting sheds more regularly. The same applies to milk feeders and buckets – the less exposure the calves get to bad bacteria the better.
Don’t overload the calf shed and keep fresh air circulating by opening doors and vents. Avoid draughts at floor level. Some farmers stack straw bales at doors to avoid draughts. The best place for calves in this weather is outside, but you should still provide a dry lie. See here for ideas on calf hutches.
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After the mild winter, bacteria and parasites such as crypto and rotavirus that might normally be killed off in hard frosts are still harbouring in sheds and feeding equipment. The mild weather isn’t helping either. Milk for calves is going sour after only a few hours, when normally it would last out in the open for a few days. All we can do is to reduce the disease pressure on calves.
Feeding enough colostrum is the first and most important step. Stomach tube three litres of colostrum to newborn calves as soon as you can.
Providing a dry lie is the next step. Keep straw topped up. You should be able to kneel on the bed without your knees getting wet.
Good hygiene is an important preventative measure. Consider cleaning out and disinfecting sheds more regularly. The same applies to milk feeders and buckets – the less exposure the calves get to bad bacteria the better.
Don’t overload the calf shed and keep fresh air circulating by opening doors and vents. Avoid draughts at floor level. Some farmers stack straw bales at doors to avoid draughts. The best place for calves in this weather is outside, but you should still provide a dry lie. See here for ideas on calf hutches.
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