I lose some calves in the first weeks to scours and weakness. How do I look after a newborn calf properly?
How do I care for a newborn calf to reduce calf mortality?
SSukhdev Singh5mo ago · 234 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓5mo ago
The first few hours and weeks decide whether a calf survives and grows well. Right after birth, clear the nose and mouth so it breathes, dip or treat the navel to prevent infection, and make sure the calf drinks the first milk, colostrum, within the first few hours, since it carries the antibodies that protect against disease. Keep the calf in a clean, dry, draught free place, feed milk in clean utensils, and avoid overfeeding which causes scours. Diarrhoea, or scours, is the main killer, so keep hygiene high and contact a vet early if the calf gets watery dung, dehydrated or weak. Deworm and vaccinate on the schedule your veterinarian advises, and introduce calf starter and good fodder as it grows. Clean colostrum, hygiene and prompt vet help cut calf mortality the most.
GGurmail Singh4mo ago
Getting the colostrum into the calf quickly after birth was the single biggest thing for me, the calves that drank it early simply got sick far less. I also started treating the navel right after birth and the navel infections I used to see stopped.
JJagsir Singh4mo ago
Overfeeding milk causes scours, I learnt this the hard way thinking more milk meant a stronger calf. Feeding the right amount in clean utensils and keeping the calf on dry bedding cut my scours a lot. When one does get watery dung I call the vet early now instead of waiting.
BBalkar Singh3mo ago
Dry, draught free bedding made a real difference in our cold winters, the calves on cold damp floors were always the ones that fell sick. A clean dry corner out of the wind, clean feeding utensils and prompt vet help when one looks weak have brought my losses right down.