Posted by Dr. Sara Barber on June 13 2006 16:28
Weaning is a Stress
- No vaccines within one week of weaning
- No feed change within one week of weaning
- No dehorning/castrating/implants at weaning
When to Wean?
- When the calf is eating 1.5-2 pounds of calf starter
- 5-6 weeks of age
Decreasing milk
One week pre-wean switch the calves to once a day milk (normal amount and concentration)
Water
- Free choice water needs to be available at all times
- Clean water
- Carry extra buckets and exchange clean for dirty
(wash buckets when you are done)
Starter Feed Management
- Feed starter twice a day
- Keep starter fresh
- Buckets should be almost empty at the next feeding
Dry Feed
Don't switch feed within one week of weaning therefore
Switch off textured feed two weeks pre-wean OR Wait one-two weeks post-wean before switching off textured feed
Hay
- Don't offer hay until calves are 11-12 weeks old
- After they are accustomed to a group pen
Vaccinations
- 5-way MLV viral with/without pasteurella one week pre-wean
- 7-way Clostridial vaccine one week pre-wean
Group Housing
- Wean into pens of no more than 12 calves
- 30 square feet per calf
Diseases
- First group housing = First exposure to disease
- Coccidia: bloody diarrhea
- Don't feed on the ground (raised feeders)
- Pneumonia: viral and bacterial
- Good vaccination program
- Reduce exposure to older calves
- Air quality
- Sulfa/Aspirin water medication
Off-Feed Post Weaning?
- Don't put a weaned calf back on milk
- Esophageal groove closes after weaning
- Milk into rumen instead of abomasum
- ADIDOSIS and BLOATING
Off-Feed Post-Weaning
- Prevent by weaning calves that are eating 1.5-2 pounds of starter
- Treat dehydration
- Give probiotics
- Feed highly palatable calf starter
- Offer hay
- Appetite stimulants
- Dexamethasone
- Vitamin B Complex