What are the key points of calf feeding and management? Pay attention to these points

A calf refers to a young bovine from birth to before weaning. The suckling period for beef cattle is usually 6 months. The following aspects should be noted in calf feeding and management. (1) Feeding of calves

1. Feed colostrum early. Colostrum contains higher levels of protein, fat, vitamins and other nutrients than regular milk, and also contains large amounts of immunoglobulins and lysozyme, which can kill and inhibit pathogens. Therefore, calves should be given colostrum as early as possible. Since calves have the strongest absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum 4-6 hours after birth, colostrum should be fed about 1 hour after birth, with a second feeding at 6-9 hours, at an amount of 2 kg. After that, gradually increase the amount, continuing for 5-7 days, with the feeding amount not exceeding 5% of body weight.

2. Feed regular milk. After 5-7 days, calves should be moved to the calf barn and fed regular milk, 3 times a day, with the temperature maintained at 35-38°C.

3. Supplement concentrate feed in a timely manner. Starting 1 week after birth, calves should be trained to eat concentrate feed to supplement nutrition and promote gastrointestinal development. For the first few days, feed 10-20 grams of concentrate per day, then gradually increase to 80-100 grams. At 30 days of age, feed 200-300 grams per day, and at 60 days of age, increase to 600-1000 grams.

4. Feed high-quality roughage. To promote early development of the gastrointestinal tract, feed roughage before digestive function is fully developed. One week after birth, a small amount of high-quality green hay can be placed in the feed trough for free feeding. After 2 weeks, place a small amount of chopped carrots, pumpkin and other green juicy feed in the trough for the calf to eat, and after 60 days this can be increased to more than 2 kg. At 20-30 days after birth, a small amount of silage can be scattered in the trough. Then gradually increase it; after 2 months, 100-150 grams per day can be fed; at 3 months, 1.5-2 kg can be fed; from 4-6 months of age, increase to 4-5 kg.

5. Give calves good water. Before 15 days of age, the drinking water for calves should be disinfected water, and care should be taken that the water temperature is the same as the milk temperature. After 15 days, switch to clean warm water, and after 30 days, switch to tap water, but be careful not to feed ice water or unsanitary water.

6. Early weaning. Healthy, well-developed calves can be weaned early at 60 days of age. The specific method is: about half a month before weaning, begin increasing concentrate and roughage and reducing the amount of milk fed. Change the number of milk feedings per day from 3 to 2, and near weaning change from 2 to 1, then stop feeding milk. You can also use the method of mixing water into the milk, gradually reducing the amount of milk, and finally switching to supplying only water. It is generally considered that at weaning the amount of concentrate feed is about 1 kg per day. At 3 months of age, increase the concentrate to 1.5-2 kg, and during this period a large amount of roughage can be supplied. Before 2 months of age, allow the calf to freely eat high-quality roughage, with the appropriate amount of roughage being about 1.7 kg per day; after 2 months, ordinary roughage can be fed, controlled at 2 kg per day.

?? (2) Management of calves

1. Keep the newborn calf's breathing clear. After a calf is born, the first thing is to clear the mucus from the mouth and nose. The method is to make the calf's head lower than the rest of its body, or lift it upside down for a few seconds to let the mucus flow out, then use hay to tickle the calf's nostrils to stimulate breathing.

2. Navel disinfection. After the calf's umbilical cord is cut, squeeze out the remaining blood in the umbilical cord, then apply iodine tincture to the umbilical cord for disinfection to prevent infection.

3. Pay attention to environmental conditions. The most suitable external temperature for newborn calves is 15°C. Therefore, be careful to keep the calf pen insulated, ventilated, dry and sanitary.

4. Groom the calf. Groom the calf 1-2 times a day to promote blood circulation, keep the skin clean, and reduce parasite breeding.

5. Prevent licking habits. Calves should be raised in individual pens, and each time a calf is fed milk, the residual milk on the calf's mouth and nose should be wiped clean.

6. Exercise and training. After 1 week, calves can move freely within the pen; after 10 days, they can be allowed to exercise in the exercise yard for short periods 1-2 times, half an hour each time. As age in days increases, exercise time can be appropriately increased. In order to help calves develop good feeding habits and achieve human-calf bonding, the feeder should consciously approach it, stroke it, and brush it. When approaching, be sure to approach from the front, and do not treat the calf roughly.

7. Weighing. Weigh calves at birth, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and at weaning, and keep records so as to understand the calf's growth and development and adjust the daily ration.

8. Dehorning. Perform dehorning at 5-7 days after birth to reduce miscarriage caused by cattle fighting, injury to people, and damage to facilities.

9. Castration. Young bulls used for fattening do not need to be castrated.