The cow is one of the most common animals around the world. It is a most useful and important domestic animal. The baby cow or a child of a cow is called a calf. An immature female baby cow is called a heifer while the immature male baby cow is known as a bull calf.
After the birth of a baby cow, it should be provided the colostrum (first milk produced by all mammals after parturition) of its mother. So many liquid feed options are available after colostrum feeding.
Liquid feeds for baby cow:
Many different liquid feeds are fed to the calf after colostrum feeding. Whole milk, waste milk, and transition milk are some examples of liquid feeds.
Transition milk:
Any excess high-quality colostrum should be stored in the refrigerator for other new borns. This excess colostrum is called transition milk. High-quality colostrum should contain more than 50 g/L of IgG. This transition milk provides different nutrients to the calf.
Whole milk:
Whole milk was the primary liquid feeds for calves in the 19th century. Its use was discouraged over 50 years because of milk replacer which was a cheaper feed source. However, in present days, the prices of milk replacers have risen due to the increasing value of whey protein. People start giving whole milk to their calves. The main component of whole milk is water and fats are also present in whole milk. A calf should be provided whole milk at a rate of 10 to 12 percent of its body weight per day. If less amount of whole milk is given to calf then it will result in poor growth of calf because of lack of necessary nutrients.
Waste milk:
Waste milk is produced on the dairy. It is not saleable because the cow is too fresh or has been treated with some drug that has a withdrawal time. Waste milk is also known as “pot milk” and “hospital milk”. Waste milk should be pasteurized before giving to valves because it may contain many diseases causing bacteria. These bacteria increase the risk of infection in calves so waste milk is not recommended unless it is pasteurized before feeding.
Dry feeds for baby cow:
Calves should be given calf starter after liquid feeding. A calf starter should be given from the second week of life.
Composition of dry feed
| Ingredients | Amount (percent) |
|---|---|
| Oats, barley | 25.000 |
| Dry shelled corn | 35.025 |
| Molasses | 5.000 |
| Trace mineral salt | 1.000 |
| Soybean meal | 32.000 |
| Calcium sulfate (27% sulfur, 22% calcium) | 0.100 |
| Dicalcium phosphate (18 % phosphorus, 23%calcium) | 0.500 |
| Magnesium oxide | 0.200 |
| Limestone | 0.900 |
| Vitamin ADE premix4 | 0.200 |
| Selenium premix (0.02%)5 | 0.075 |
| Total | 100 |
Nutrients requirements of a calf
Proteins:
Proteins are very important for calves. Proteins provide amino acids which are very important in the building of different tissues of the calf’s body. Deficiency of protein results in depression and poor growth of the calf.
Energy:
Energy is used to carry out the functions of the calf’s body. Lactose (milk sugar) is the main source of energy for calves. Calves also gain energy from highly digestible fats. The metabolic rate of the calf is greatest during the first two weeks of life so it is very important to provide a large amount of energy to the calf.
Vitamins:
Calves require vitamin K and the water-soluble B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, choline, biotin, pyridoxine, folic acid, B12, and pantothenic acid). Vitamin K and water-soluble B vitamins are present in colostrum, fermented colostrum, whole milk, and good milk replacers. The young calves also need the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E, which are present in them in a low amount at the time of their birth. Whole milk or milk replacers supply all of these vitamins. Vitamin C is produced in the calf’s tissue and is not required in the diet.
Minerals
Dairy calves require the same minerals for their growth. Milk and milk replacers generally supply a large amount of many minerals which are required during the first few weeks of life. Calf starters contain a large amount of the major and trace minerals required by the young calf.
Diseases of calves:
Coccidiosis:
It is a parasitic infection and is also known as black scours.
Causes:
This disease is caused by intestinal protozoan parasites, coccidia. These parasites are only visible under a microscope. These parasites live in the guts of healthy adult cows and they secret them in their ■■■■■. These parasites are picked up by young calves from dirty stable floors.
Clinical signs:
- very soft ■■■■■, usually of dark color because the ■■■■■ contain varying amounts of blood.
- Calves appear dull, weak, and lose weight rapidly
- They show discomfort and grind their teeth
Prevention and Control:
- Careful rotation of calves in the grazing paddocks helps to reduce the infection
- Clean out the floor with hot water and detergent to remove the coccidia.
Diagnosis:
Some other intestinal worms cause similar symptoms, therefore, the ■■■■■ from the infected animals should be taken to a veterinary laboratory for microscopic examination.
Treatment:
Only a few specific drugs are helpful in treating this infection caused by coccidia, these drugs are called Coccidiostatics. The use of coccidiostatic drugs, such as sulphonamides, nitrofurazone, and amprolium controls the infection. These drugs are more poisonous than many other drugs, therefore, we have to use them carefully.
Navel ill:
It is also known as joint ill and Omphalophlebitis.
Causes:
Navel ill is caused by different bacteria (Corynebacterium, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Actinomyces) when a calf is born in a very dirty environment.
Clinical signs:
This disease affects the joints and legs results in the swelling of joints. ■■■■ is filled in the joints and calves are unable to stand and move. In some cases, bacteria settle in the liver and brain of calves results in the death of calves.
Prevention:
Colostrum protects against bacteria that cause Navel ill. Also dipping the umbilical cord in iodine soon after birth will prevent bacteria from entering it. Providing a clean calving pen to the cow can also prevent Navel ill.
Treatment:
There is no proper treatment for Navel ill because no drugs can ■■■■■■■■■ joints.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs).
1: What is a cow called before the birth of its calf?
A cow is called a heifer until it gives birth to its calf.
2: How many calves does a cow have at a time?
A cow usually has one calf at a time. Calving becomes more difficult with twins. When a twin occurs and one is a heifer and the other is a bull calf, then the heifer is more sterile than the bull calf.
3: What do you call a baby cow?
A baby cow is usually called a calf. A female is termed as a heifer calf while a male is termed as a bull calf.
4: What do you call a girl cow?
The female that is an adult and has a calf is called a cow. While a young female who is under three years of age is called a heifer.
5: Can you milk a male cow?
The male cow is called a bull and it cannot produce milk while the female cow can produce milk.