The most important day of a calf’s life is the first one. There are some key
factors that play a role in whether or not a baby calf gets off to a good start
and research has demonstrated that the first 24 hours of life are critical in
order for a calf to survive to weaning and beyond.
Interventions –
follow-up care is important
Dystocia, or calving complications, pose a
health risk for both the newborn calf and the mother cow. Dystocia can be
partially managed with careful breeding and culling practices, proper
nutrition, and by managing for a body condition score of 3 (on a scale of 1-5)
before calving, but difficult deliveries can still occur.
Every scenario is different, however, once a
water bag appears the calf should hit the ground within one hour for cows, or
up to one and a half hours for a first-calf heifer. Intervention may be needed,
especially if no progress has occurred for thirty minutes, the cow stops
pushing, or there are other signs of trouble. If there is a problem, a water
bag may not always appear, be observant of other behaviors that signal labor,
such as tail switching, restlessness, the appearance of membranes or discharge,
or a kink in the cow’s tail.
Calves born with assistance are less likely to
drink colostrum – that first, rich milk newborns require – on their own.
Assisted calves are more likely to have reduced vigor or be mismothered and
need proper care and attention to increase their ability to survive.
If a calf is born with
assistance, DO NOT hang the calf upside down. Rather, place the calf in
the recovery position to keep the airway open and better
enable it to start breathing.
Both the motheringcows
and calves may benefit frompain medication following
a difficult delivery. Administering an NSAID, like meloxicam, can help to
promote recovery, improve appetite, and lead to better milk production. If
a calf’s pain is managed, they will be more comfortable, are more likely
to get up and stay active, start nursing, and stay warm.
Assess a calf’s vigor by testing
for a suckle reflex. Place a finger or two in the calf’s mouth and
gently tickle the roof of its mouth. If a calf has a strong suckle reflex
within 10 minutes of birth, they will have a better chance of nursing the
cow on their own without assistance. A calf with a weak suckle reflex will
need monitoring and likely colostrum supplementation.
A dazed or weak calf can be
resuscitated. To stimulate a calf, rub the chest vigorously, poke
a clean straw into its nostril, or even dribble a small
amount of cold water in a calf’s ear.
Colostrum – the sooner
the better
Colostrx Colstrumis full of fats, vitamins, and protein
antibodies called immunoglobulin G (IgG). These antibodies are essential to
help a calf develop immunity to diseases specific to the farm it is born on.
Calves should suckle a recommended minimum of 1 liter of colostrum in the first
4-6 hours of life.
Producers should pay attention to whether or not
they see a baby calf nurse its mother. Look to see if the cow’s teats have been
sucked, feel the calf’s belly to see if it is full, or look at its hooves to
see if the soft, rubbery capsule has been worn off, an indication that it has
been standing up. If it does not look like the calf has what it needs or it
appears weak or dull, the following are some supplementations to consider:
The best source of supplemental
colostrum is from within yourown herd. The
freshly calved cow can be milked, or colostrum can be collected from
another cow on your farm and frozen for up to one year.
Never microwave colostrum, it which can “cook” the antibodies and render them
useless. Instead, place the bag of frozen colostrum in a bowl of warm
water so it can gradually increase in temperature.
Powdered colostrum is an option if fresh/frozen colostrum is
unavailable. Read the package to determine if the product is a
“replacement” or a “supplement.” Supplements contain fewer grams of IgG
per liter so two packages may be required to meet the needs of the calf.
Veterinarians recommend feeding
calves anywhere from a minimum of 100 grams IgG up to 200 grams IgG.
Avoid colostrum sourced from
other farms, to prevent bringing unwanted
diseases to your herd.
When administering
colostrum, bottle-feeding
is better than tube-feeding. A
bottle will support the calf’s suckle reflex which in turn will ensure the
optimal amount of antibodies are absorbed in the calf’s gut.
Tube feeding is better than nothing, however it places the
milk directly into the rumen, which does not allow for maximum absorption.
Use separately marked tubes or
bottles for feeding colostrum and
treating sick calves. This will prevent newborn calves from being exposed
to disease.
Clean and disinfect bottles and tubes after each use.
Disease prevention –
keep calving area clean
The most effective way to manage disease in young calves is to manage the
“disease balance” If calves aren’t exposed to bacteria and viruses that cause
common calfhood diseases such as scours, septicemia, pneumonia, or navel ill,
their risk of infection is going to be minimal.
Disease outbreaks are less
common when cattle are spread out so if possible, reduce
confinement.
For producers calving on
pasture, provide ample space for expectant cows, then move pairs
to fresh ground. This is referred to as a Sandhills calving system.
When calving in a corral, the
principle of providing a clean environment remains the same. Provide lots
of fresh, clean bedding. This also helps ensure that cows’ udders are
kept clean and dry.
Clean pens regularly.
Disease-causing bacteria can
lurk in common areas such as creep feeders, wind shelters, or warmers.
Ensure permanent structures are kept clean and well bedded. Move
portable feeders and sheltersoften.
Isolate and treat sick calves to prevent them from infecting healthy calves.
Talk to your veterinarian and
make sure yohttps://shiptonsbigr.com/products:farm-ranch:animal-health-wellness@f=eyJmaV85MyI6WyIxNDE1Il19?utm_source=website&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=caving&utm_content=antibiotics" target="_blank">Antibiotics
may also be necessary.
Planning for a successful calving season starts
months before the first calf of the year is born, however the tips outlined
above can help producers navigate the calving season now.
Providing effective support for difficult
deliveries, ensuring calves receive adequate colostrum, and keeping calving
areas clean will allow producers to optimize the health, wellbeing, and profitability
of this year’s calf crop. Shipton’s Big R has the resources you need including nutrients and supplements, as well as
warmers, bottles, and tags. We are open
7 days a week, and you can always shop online at Shiptonsbigr.com
