How to manage white calves during the newborn period? These key points must be mastered

Key points for managing white calves during the newborn period: The newborn period refers to the stage from 0 to 7 days of age for calves. This stage is crucial. If management is poor, the survival rate of dairy calves and red-meat calves will not exceed 50%, and for white calves it means total wipeout.

????Care during the newborn period:

① After the calf is born, the mother cow should be allowed to lick the amniotic fluid and mucus on the calf's body surface. This has a good massage effect on the calf's heart and lungs and has a certain positive significance for the calf's survival. If assisted delivery takes too long or the calf appears to be stillborn, immediately lift the calf by both hind legs with its head facing down to drain the amniotic fluid or mucus from its throat, while pressing on the lungs and heart to promote breathing and cardiac pumping.

② Repeatedly rub the umbilical cord, use scissors soaked in disinfectant to cut the umbilical cord 8-10 cm from the abdomen, then soak and disinfect with 5%-10% iodine solution to prevent umbilical bleeding and invasion by bacteria and microorganisms.

?Feeding during the newborn period:

① After the calf is born, it must receive 1.5-2 kg of colostrum within 2 hours, and be fed again after 6-8 hours. The milk temperature should be controlled at 38°C, with a fluctuation of no more than 1°C.

② White calves within 7 days of age should be fed using a nursing bottle with a rubber nipple or a feeder. In fact, a feeder should be used throughout the entire feeding period, as this plays a vital role in the digestion, absorption and growth of white calves. If the calving cow dies or the colostrum cannot be used due to disease, the calf should be culled.