During calving season, which can last from February through May, producers should keep three key priorities in mind to ensure that their newborn calves not only survive, but get off to a good start. Consider these three important tips, which we’ve sourced and summarized from Drovers.com—the nation’s leading livestock publication.
Make Sure Your Newborn Calves Intake Sufficient Colostrum
Colostrum is the first milk produced by a mother cow, and is rich in nutrients—helping a newborn calf to develop a strong immune system that will last its entire lifetime.
Newborns have a short window during which their intestines will absorb colostrum antibodies—about 24 hours. After that time the molecules of the antibodies are no longer taken in. Ideally, within the first four to six hours of their lives, newborn calves should intake three to four quarts of colostrum, Drovers specifies.
If, for whatever reason, a calf hasn’t nursed at all, you should feed it through a tube using colostrum “replacers.” In instances where a newborn may not have nursed enough, or if you think the cow’s colostrum is of low quality, you should administer colostrum supplements. Supplements can also be a good source of energy, protein, and fat for sick calves.
Keep Your Newborns Warm
Newborn calves need to stay warm immediately following birth. Death from hypothermia is a real possibility if their body temperatures fall below 94 degrees. Drovers recommends bringing chilled newborns indoors to a calving shed or barn. How do you know if a newborn is cold—if its nose or extremities like its feet, or right above its feet, feel cold. Also, if it doesn’t want to stand, or is slow and lethargic.
You can also use warm blankets, a heat lamp, a warming box, or even a warm bath (warmed gradually) to warm a cold calf. Its normal core temperature is 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Maintain a Fully-Stocked Calving Kit
Stay prepared with a fully-stocked calving kit, including a calf resuscitator, calf pulling chains, iodine or umbilical spray, a stainless steel pail, OB lube, OB sleeves, OB handles, and chlorhexidine disinfectant solution. With these items on hand, you can increase the chances that your newborn calves will survive and flourish.
