Calving Essentials

The Calving season is upon us, and preparation is key to a better outcome. Its time to prep your sheds, get the products you need close to hand, and think about how best to care for your calves.

Shed Preparation

It's all about hygiene and warmth - give your calves the best opportunity to thrive.

Recommended practices:

• Ensure pens are free from draughts where possible, but allow ventilation to prevent ammonia build up (a gap at the top of shed walls is ideal)
• Clean pens prior to calving - water blast and disinfect -we recommend a triple clean - before laying down new bedding
• Ensure bedding is dry and free draining, layer new bedding on top as required (recommended at least weekly)
• Ensure calves have access to clean water, feed and fibre
• Clean milk lines (hot soapy water) and scrub feeders after each feed
• Don't rotate calves through pens
• Ensure only your farm staff go into the pens
• If you have sick calves, separate them out and preferably downwind in case they are contagious. Feed them last to minimise germs transfer
• Record treatments, tag calves for tracking

Recommended products:

Calf Enrichment

Ensure that you keep enrichment toys to one pen - don't move between pens, and ensure they are not accessible between pens.

Calves are naturally curious and social animals and are motivated to explore their environment. Toys can reduce stress and boredom, as well as reduce the risk of cross-suckling. Toys promote interaction with each other whilst getting used to the pen, and can help grow healthier calves which become more productive cows. Calves have a need to rub and scratch. Scratch mats and brushes can not only protect your infrastructure but may relieve boredom, random biting and fighting and combat itching and pests.

Improving their living conditions and reducing stress levels will help calves reach their optimal weight sooner and they will be happier when in a group.

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