Dr. iCows’ Diary
29/01/2010
Dear Dr. iCow,
What is the required amount of milk replacer to give a calf who is one week and 3 days?
From Farmer Elizabeth, Trans Nzoia, Kitale Kenya
Discussion.
The mother cow gave birth to twin female calves and she got a uterus prolapse which took time to be attended. The cow died from infections related to uterine prolapse and other complications soon after calving. The farmer was advised to use milk replacer which she has done and one of the calves is having dirrhoea.
Dear Esther. Sorry for losing the mother cow. There is consolation in having the twin calves left by their mother. Calves need to drink milk at 10% of body weight e.g. a calf of 40kg will need to drink 4 litres of milk or milk replacer, divided into two portions morning and evening. Currently there are various milk replacers in the market and their concentrations or formulations are different and therefore it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when feeding the milk replacer, and also pay particular attention the calf’s management practises. Milk replacer should have persistent quality and should be fed at regular intervals. Generally, 1 kg of milk powder in 7 litres of water gives 8 litres of milk. For optimum calf performance please use a good milk replacer, check on factors like reconstituting, feeding interval, amount fed in each feeding and feeding temperature. Please, in making decision to give milk replacer consider the economics of feeding milk replacers, costs versus expected performance of the calves, the risk of lower growth rate and poor calf health. Natural milk proteins which a mother cow offer are more expensive than non-milk proteins, which is what some milk replacers are made of. The decision on whether to use milk replacer or not depends on what works best for your dairy management and economic considerations.
Your friend and advisor, Dr. iCow.
Notes:
At birth and within the first 24 hours up to 48 hours calves must suck or be given colostrum which has antibodies or immunoglobulins, fats, proteins, essential vitamins and minerals so as to build their immunity. Thereafter there is change to raw milk from the calf’s mother. At this time some farmers do opt for milk replacer or in case of death of the mother cow. It is a matter of preferred choice by the dairy farmer to feed the calves with natural milk from the dam or to give them milk replacer. Low quality milk replacer product and poor management during feeding result in indigestion and scours.