Calf Health and Management

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of heifer calves should be alive at weaning age?

80-90%

90-95%

Greater than 95% (correct)

70-80%

What is a common cause of mechanical scours in calves?

Inadequate housing

Poor quality bedding

Overfeeding of replacer milk (correct)

Infection by Escherichia coli

Which of the following is NOT a common cause of infectious scours in calves?

E. coli

Tapeworm (correct)

Salmonella sp

Rotavirus

What is the primary purpose of housing calves in separate hutches?

To reduce transmission of infectious diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is the second most common health problem in calves?

Pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to prevent the development of scours in calves?

Proper housing and bedding Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended temperature of milk for calf feeding?

38 °C Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to feed a calf several small meals?

To help the coagulation of milk in the abomasum Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended percentage of crude fiber in milk replacer for calf feeding?

Less than 0.5% CF Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of poor calf health and disease?

Reduced growth and high treatment costs Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended daily ration of colostrum for a calf?

2 feedings up to 6-8 liters of colostrum Signup and view all the answers

When should a starter grain be offered to a calf?

By 8 days of age Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for ensuring a cow receives sufficient nutrients during her first lactation phase?

To ensure the calf gets a good start in life Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of underfeeding a cow during her lactation phase?

The cow's milk yield decreases Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to provide a clean and comfortable environment for the cow during calving?

To ensure a successful start for the cow and calf Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended size of a calving pen for a single cow?

8 – 10 m2 Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to ensure calves consume sufficient colostrum?

To provide the calf with immunity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of protective substances for a calf during pregnancy?

The cow's blood Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Calf Health and Management

Greater than 95% of heifer calves should be alive at weaning age.
Two types of health problems associated with newborn calves: scours (diarrhea) and pneumonia.

Scours

Scours can be of mechanical or infectious origin.
Mechanical scours caused by overfeeding or poor quality milk replacer, leading to rapid passage of digesta contents and undigested milk in the gut.
Infectious scours caused by bacterial (E. coli, Salmonella) or viral (rotavirus, coronavirus) agents.
Controlled by good hygiene at feeding, proper housing, and separating calves to reduce transmission of infectious diseases.

Pneumonia

Second most common health problem in calves.
Often caused by feeding cull milk containing mastitis pathogens.

Feeding the Calf

Milk replacer should contain 18-22% crude protein, 10-20% fat, 5% sugar, and <0.5% crude fiber.
Starter grain should be offered free choice by 8 days of age, with 18% crude protein.
Excellent quality legume forage (>16% CP) should be offered.
Importance of calf feeding:
- 2 feedings of 2-6-8 liters of colostrum.
- Several small meals preferable due to small stomach volume (about 2 liters).
- Temperature of milk should be 38°C.
- Milk must be free of lumps and freshly prepared.
- Milk ration should be reduced slowly over time.

Calf Management

Differences in calf losses between poorly and well-run farms due to diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory problems.
Good calf management starts with the cow, including correct feeding and a clean, comfortable environment at calving.
Importance of feeding the cow:
- Proper nutrition during first lactation phase determines the calf's start in life.
- Inadequate feed can lead to reduced milk yield and detrimental effects on cow's metabolism and subsequent lactation.
- Avoid overfeeding cows in late lactation to maintain optimal body condition for next lactation.

Calving Environment

Importance of providing cows with a clean and comfortable environment at calving.
Separate cows from the rest of the herd 2-4 days before calving and provide a special box/pen with sufficient space and comfort.
Calving pen size: 8-10m² per cow, with a deep straw mattress for comfortable calving.
Ensure calves consume sufficient colostrum for immunity and protection.

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Description

Test your knowledge on calf health problems, including scours and pneumonia, and learn how good housing management and feeding hygiene can control these issues. Ensure the best possible outcomes for your calves with this quiz.