13 tips on how to feed calves before weaning

1. Distribute concentrates from the first days of life

According to a study of 1,340 heifers, distributing concentrates before 7 days of age results in a 12 kg improvement in weight at 6 months compared with heifers given access to feed after 7 days (CCPA Group research, 2015).

2. Maintain free access to drinking water from the 1st day of life.

3. Distribute quality forage from 3 to 4 weeks of age, preferably straw

Straw provides a 13 kg weight gain at 6 months compared with hay (Groupe CCPA research, 2015). The nutritional values of hay are highly irregular. Forage therefore gives irregular results in terms of growth.

4. Renew your calves’ solid feed every day (give refusal to the oldest calves)

The freshness of the feed is decisive for palatability and ensuring regular consumption.

5. Offer the product in a trough in the pen:

avoid access via the feed fence and steps.

6. Don’t be afraid to use water that is too hot for the preparation of the milk:

aim for 55°C to obtain a distribution temperature of 42 – 45°C

A temperature that is too low prevents good digestion and entails risks of diarrhoea for the calf: the activity of the enzymes is greatly reduced.

7. Respect regular feeding times

8. Avoid feeding milk containing cells or antibiotics.

9. Limit the quantity of milk distributed:

1 litre per 10 kg live weight, no more than 2.5 litres per feed during the first week

The aim is to transform the monogastric calf. To do this, it needs to consume solid feed, which will stimulate the development of the rumen papillae. However, too much milk leaves little room for solid feed.

10. Make sure your equipment is properly cleaned

11. Avoid feeding whole milk without supplements

Whole milk is too high in fat, which can lead to diarrhoea, and does not meet the calf’s vitamin requirements. Adding a supplement will balance the protein/fat ration and provide vitamins and digestive aids.

12. Choosing the right milk replacer for your calf

Milk replacers rich in skimmed milk powder take 6 to 8 hours to digest, which is close to the time it takes to digest whole milk. They allow slow transit and good digestion. Whey-based milk replacers digest more quickly: 2 to 4 hours. The calf is quickly hungry and consumes solid feed. As a result, the rumen develops better.

13. Weaning causes stress, so take care not to introduce any more

One change at a time! Weaning causes stress for the animal, and it needs to regain its equilibrium. It’s important to give them time to recover before introducing new animals. So, no change of building, no transition to a 2nd age food for at least a week after weaning. The impact on growth is significant: heifers that have undergone no change other than weaning weigh 8 kg more than those changing to solid feed and 6 kg more at 6 months than those changing buildings (CCPA group research, 2015).