Calfcare - Post calving

After a successful calving there should be :

A live male or preferably female, calf born which will be shaking it's head, sneezing and making attempts to stand. It is vital to disinfect the calfs navel cord at this stage to prevent the spread of bacteria or disease along it. Use Iodine or antiseptic spray and ensure you apply it liberally from the tip of the cord to the navel.
Expulsion of the placenta [afterbirth] from the cow who should be standing and showing an interest in her calf, licking, nuzzling and making low mooing sounds. The cow may attempt to eat the placenta, this is perfectly natural and should be allowed.
After removing any wet bedding and uneaten placenta, top-up with fresh straw and ensure cow has access to fresh clean water and food and return to check them after an hour.
It is good practice to keep a medical record for each cow and any calves born to her. Enter sex, time taken to calve etc, and any other details you consider pertinent.
On your return check that the cow is well and that the calf is now up on it's feet and moving around.
Remember, the calf should be born into a clean environment. That means plenty of fresh clean straw, clean hands and clean overalls whenever you have contact.
It is vital for the calfs future health that it has sufficient colostrum to provide antibodies against disease.

Colostrum is :
Produced by the cow prior to and for a few days after calving, although the first milking contains more protein [immunoglobulins], fat, minerals and vitamins than milk produced after.
Proteins [immunoglobulins] in colostrum are produced by the cows immune system at calving time and for that reason are vital for the calfs future health and immune system.[Colostrum provides protection from infection in the calfs environment]
Calfs ability to absorb the larger immunoglobulins of colostrum through it's intestinal walls decreases after 24 hours. Ensure it has at least 10% of it's body weight of colostrum to drink within 3-4 hours of birth.
Don't leave it to chance, many calves appear to be suckling but hav'nt drunk. Use either a teat bottle or stomach tube and repeat using first milk colostrum within 12 hours. [Remember, 10% of bodyweight. 30kg calf = 3 litres of First milk colostrum]
Don't use colostrum from heifers or cows that leak. Remember it can be frozen so save any excess from suitable cows for future use. Defrost carefully, never use a microwave. [Immunoglobulins are destroyed at anything above 11 F]
Once calf has had at least two feeds of first milk colostrum it can then be fed it's mothers milk as nomal. This will contain immunoglobulins of smaller size and complexity than first milk but will still contain useful supplements which can be absorbed by the intestinal walls. Continue this for at least 4 days.
If calf has had sufficient colostrum it's first few motions will be soggy/firm and pale yellow/white in colour, extremely sticky it can sometimes make the tail adhere to the anal region resulting in the calf being unable to defecate or pass fecal matter . Use warm water to soften it and comb or wash it off.


From second day of calving have water and high quality protein [20%] feed on offer. By the fourth day :

Change to feeding fresh whole milk or milk replacer. [2 x daily feeds of approx 2 litres each] Milk replacer should be high quality [Minimum 20% Protein and 20% fat] and easily digestible [Protein derived from vegetable or dairy products]. Ensure if using dry powder milk replacer it is mixed with correct quantity of clean fresh water. Remember, cleanliness of all utensils hands, overalls etc !
Don't EVER use milk from a cow that is receiving treatment involving antibiotics due to the potential risk of disease transfer.
Calf should be bucket trained by now. Not all calves drink from a bucket naturally, it is usual to put clean fingers in calfs mouth and then muzzle into bucket or container. Calf will suck on fingers, slowly withdraw fingers until calf is sucking without them. It takes time and patience so don't despair, no matter how long it takes.
There should also be some high quality forage available such as hay or good quality straw, this aids in rumen development.[See Cowcare-Nutrition, for more details]
It is usual for your calf to gain 1.5 - 1.7lbs in bodyweight per day. Monitor all calves recording details of all liquid and solid feeds given and especially any solids left, which should be discarded.


Your calf is at a vunerable stage of it's life, therefore :

It should be housed in a dry clean environment, free of draughts but with a regular clean air flow throughout. Bed your calf daily and remove any wet or soiled straw as frequently as possible. It is best to use fresh clean Barley straw for bedding and although this is more expensive than Wheat straw a wise precaution.
Your calf will require vaccinations, check with your vet what these are [will depend on your countries regulations and at what age ] and make sure you record all details.

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