Introduction

·       The Upkeep And Proper Management Of Young Calves Are A Prerequisite To The Success Of Any Dairy Development Programme. An Optimum Level Of Nutrition In Early Life Favours Faster Growth And Earlier Onset Of Puberty. Calves Should Be Reared Carefully To Obtain Optimum Gain In Body Weight, So That They Attain About 70-75 Per Cent Of Mature Body Weight At Puberty. Poor Feeding Of Young Calves Leads To Higher Age At First Calving And Overall Loss Of Productivity In The Life Span. Therefore, Milk Producers Need To Recognize The Implications Of Poor Feeding Of Young Calves.

Importance Of Colostrum Feeding To Newly Born Calves

·       Colostrum Is The First Secretion Produced By The Mammary Gland Of Cows/Buffaloes After Calving, A Rich Source Of Protein, Fat, Minerals And Antibodies.

·       The Calf Should Receive Colostrum Within 1-2 Hours Of Birth. The Gut Of The  Newborn  Calf  Is Able To Absorb Maternally-Derived Immunoglobulins (Antibodies) Contained In Colostrum And Transport Them Into  The Bloodstream. Antibodies Transferred From The  Dam To The Calf  In This Way Are Referred To As “Passive” Antibodies. The Ability Of The Calf To Absorb These Colostral Antibodies Is Maximum  Within  The  First  Hour  Following  Birth  And  Remains  Fairly  Good  For  Up To  Six  Hours.  After  This,  There  Is  A  Progressive  Loss  In The  Calf’s  Ability  To  Absorb  Cloistral Antibodies. On An Average, The Calf Should Receive 3-4 Meals Of Colostrum Within The First 24 Hours Of  Its  Life.

Importance Of Colostrum Feeding

·       Newly Born Calves Have Very Low Resistance To Disease Buffalo Calves Have An Even Lesser Resistance To Diseases As Transfer Of Antibodies From The Dam To Calf Through The Placenta Is Very Low.

·       Colostrum Is An Invaluable Gift Of Nature To Newly Born Cal Compared To Whole Milk It Contains 4-5 Times Protein, 10 Times Vitamin A And Plenty Of Minerals.

·       Colostrum Acts As A Mild Laxative As It Helps Removing Digestive  Residue, Meconium, From The Intestines Of Newly Born

Tips For Raising Healthy Calves

·       Just After Birth, Clean The Nostrils And Mouth Of The Calf.

·       Massage The Chest Gently To Help The Calf Breathe Comfortably. Clean The Entire Body Of The Calf

·       Insert Two Fingers In The Mouth And Place Them On The Tongue, Which Will Help The Calf To Start Suckling

·       Newly Born Calves Should Be Kept In A Protected Environm

·       Within Half An Hour Of Birth, Feed Colostrum To The Cal

·       Whole Milk/Milk Replacer Should Be Given To Calves At Least Up To 2 M

·       De-Worming Should Be Done During Third Week And Then At The Jrd And Glhf Months Of Ag

·       From 2nd Week, Calves Should Be Fed Good Quality Hay And Calf Starter.

·       Naval Cord Should Be Tied With A Thread At A Distance Of 2 In Cut The Remaining Cord With A Clean Pair Of Scissors And Apply Tincture Iodine To Avoid Naval Infection.

Important Aspects Of Calf Feeding:

1. Colostrum Feeding Within Half An Hour Of Birth

2. Feeding Whole Milk/ Milk Replacer To Calves

3. Introduction Of Calf Starter/Good Quality Grain From 2nd Week Onwards

4. Good Quality Hay Should Also Be Given To Calves

5. Deworming And Vaccination