Matters needing attention in raising calves

Calves cannot digest forage at the initial stage of growth, so they can choose granular food. Then slowly match it with corn, wild hay, milk and oatgrass.

Matters needing attention in raising calves

1. The calf will not use three front stomachs at birth, that is to say, it will not eat grass (returning grass, ruminating) and will only drink milk in the first 4-6 weeks. In order to control the disease, cows, buffaloes and beef cattle must ensure that calves drink at least 1-2 liters of colostrum within 8 hours after birth.

2. In most cases, the cow itself can ensure that the calf is fed, but the colostrum quality of the young cow giving birth to the first fetus is not high, so it is good to add some colostrum saved by the adult cow during calving. It is best to separate the calf from the lactating cow within 24 hours after birth.

3. To avoid infection with paratuberculosis (the main symptom is diarrhea), which is an intestinal bacterial disease accumulated over the years. Calves are susceptible to this disease, preferably within 12 months in the first 3 months. Contact between calves and adult cow feces should be avoided as far as possible.

4. Calves need to be fed with high-calorie and high-protein concentrate feed 2 weeks after birth to help rumen growth. The faster the rumen develops, the sooner cows can wean their calves, and the faster buffaloes and beef cattle will grow. The feed should contain at least 20% crude protein. When increasing concentrate feed, calves (cows) need to be fed only once a day, no more than 5 liters of milk, so that they can meet their calorie requirements, and the next time the calves feel hungry, they will eat more concentrate.