How To Care For A Newborn Calf?

A calf needs extra care as it is hugely prone to infection, precisely like a human infant. A good evaluation of any newborn calf program must begin with the dry buffalo program, paying particular attention to colostrum management and hygiene, and conclude with the calf starting its regular liquid diet. The primary components of effective newborn calf care will each be covered in the following sections. 

Pre-Delivery Care!

Dry Period in Buffalo: What It Includes?

Although it is frequently disregarded, dry periods and care can significantly affect the performance of newborn calves.

 

●        Vaccination

 It is a wise management decision to vaccinate the mother while she is in the dry period stage. The immunizations' immune activation benefits both the buffalo and the calf since the colostrum they produce boosts the calf's immunity. IBR, BVD, PI3, and BRSV are essential diseases for which vaccination is advised. If these infections are known to exist on the farm, further vaccinations may be needed for rotavirus, coronavirus, and enterotoxemia. You should visit the herd veterinarian to review the vaccination schedule at least once a year for both buffaloes and calves.

 

●        Nutrition

To ensure that the newborn calf is fed with a good base level of nutrition for healthy health following delivery, appropriate levels of protein, energy, and trace minerals are required. You can order cattle food online after thoroughly researching all the supplements available. Maintaining the dry buffaloe's body condition score is also crucial for the health of the buffalo and the calf after calving. When you search for cattle food online, you have endless varieties to choose from.

 

●        Dystocia

 Challenging calving may result in calf performance issues and may have a detrimental effect on the dam as she re-joins the milking herd. Determine when to start using manual calving aid by consulting with your herd veterinarian. If buffaloes are comfortable, experience little stress, and are relocated to a private maternity pen at the first indication of calving, difficult calvings can be reduced. The cattle should have a dystocia rate of no more than 5%.

 

Colostrum Management: What It Includes?

A calf's immunity, which it acquires from a sufficient supply of high-quality colostrum, whether it comes from maternal colostrum or a colostrum replacer, is its only line of defense during the first few weeks of life.

 

●        Quality

Colostrum from the first milking should have a creamy color, have a uniform texture, and be free of pathogens, blood, dung, and urine. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations of more than 50 g/L indicate high-quality colostrum and can be measured using a Brix refractometer. When using a refractometer, colostrum of high quality has a Brix value of at least 22. You can also use a colorimeter, but remember that these devices are temperature-sensitive and are only suitable for identifying high- and low-quality colostrum. The desired cleanliness levels for high-quality colostrum are less than 100,000 CFU/ML TPC and less than 10,000 CFU/ML TCC.

 

●        Quantity

Within two hours of birth, calves should get four quarts of pure, top-notch colostrum. The following two quarts should be consumed in six to twelve hours. Nipple bottles should be used to administer colostrum, and esophageal tube feeders should only be employed when a calf cannot swallow the first four quarts on its own.

 

●        Storage

Colostrum that hasn't been fed should be placed in the freezer or refrigerator to be used later. Successful producers may frequently store fresh colostrum in 2- or 4-quart Ziploc bags and should be used within three days.

 

Calving Time!!

 

●        Remember that the time of calving is our first opportunity to influence the calf's future direction. To help prevent any issues that can occur during labor, ensure a worker is always on hand. To enhance calf vigor and reduce stress or harm to the dam, prompt and thorough intervention is required if the calving process gets extended.

●        It's essential to keep maternity quarters and calving spaces as dry and spotless as possible. Any excess moisture or manure encourages rapid bacterial development, increasing the risk of illness or disease for both the dam and the calf. Between calvings, the calving area should be cleaned, sanitized, and re-bedded with plush, cozy bedding.

●        Pathogen exposure in the maternity pen is reduced when the calf is separated from the dam soon after birth. The calf must not be allowed to suckle on the dam. Many farmers let the dam lick the calf, which helps boost the calf's vigor.

●        Immediately after birth, each calf should have its navel and umbilical stump soaked in a 7% tincture iodine solution. If the farm has a history of joint disease and navel infections, another dip may be required at 24 hours of age.

●        An excellent newborn calf program depends on keeping thorough records. The very minimum of information that needs to be recorded includes the following: dam ID, sire ID (if known), calf ID, date and time of birth, calving score, any immunizations administered, first colostrum time, and colostrum quality reading.

 

Some Essentials!!

 

Every equipment used to feed calves needs to be cleaned and sterilized between feedings. Any organic matter (saliva, milk, manure) should be eliminated with a lukewarm water rinse as the first step in a regular cleaning regimen.

After washing, rinse the equipment to get rid of the soap, and let it air dry on a clean and dry spot. Before the subsequent feeding, clean the apparatus. It's crucial to keep in mind that sanitizers only function on clean equipment and are never recommended for use during the washing process.

Don't cut the aperture to let the milk flow through more quickly. As a result, the milk may be practically inhaled by the calves, which may cause pneumonia and other respiratory conditions.

 

Conclusion

Taking care of a calf and new mother is crucial to keep your farm business running & keeping your cattle safe and healthy. You can check for essential nutrients and buy cattle food online for new mothers and calves. You can also get buffalo or any cattle online on the MeraPashu 360 mobile application; they also facilitate cattle home delivery for the convenience of farmers.