Recent content by Baldrick

More block calves are using ad-lib feeding to achieve better growth rate and lower labour. Better for calves and herdsman.

We noticed that Ad-lib fed calves don’t cross suck so much as their hunger is satisfied all the time. They seem worse when on restricted milk and if the milk bucket is removed, and they are still hungry, they cross suckle more

Yes, group rearing in kennels and Calf Igloos is a huge improvement on our purpose built calf sheds!

Agree with all the above management points. There is no quick fix, and many factors come into play. I just think it is an interesting observation over many batches of calves, reared in the same building, that we had less problems and vet bills when feeding more energy, (milk) more frequently...

I don’t sell milk powder, but I would be interested to know what was the cause of your higher mortality? Yes, sorry about that. I didn’t know @ Bald Rick existed when I joined a few years ago. I can change handles if it is a problem For you?

FEED MORE MILK! We reared calves on contract for 20 years, mainly on cold ad-lib milk and on warm restricted when temperatures were low. We noticed that the groups on ad-lib milk had less mortality and lower vets bills compared to restricted batches. We used 2 bags/calf but they grew more...

Really like this, good thinking

3 thoughts If it’s just one calf who stands and lets them suck, remove that calf. If you are restricting the amount of milk per feed. Feed nice fresh cake and straw following the milk feed to distract them. We find feeding ad lib milk means calf is totally satisfied and navel sucking disappeared.

The Heatwave Milk Warmer is a low cost feeder for up to 30 calves or 50 lambs or goat kids and now only requires 2 minutes a day cleaning!

Have a look at www.CalfIgloo.com Having reared calves in a “ purpose built” shed for 20 years, I now know that Igloos and verandas are half the price and twice as good as what I built. Defiantly worth a look

Have a look at the videos on www.pyonproducts.com, and YouTube . They will feed up to 30 calves easily and cost is a fraction of the cost of an automatic machine. Get in touch if interested through the website request form.

ipI have a reconditioned Heatwave Milk Warmer if you are interested

It is a great time to rear calves outside, very healthy so less vet bills and less expensive as no straw needed. It is a good idea to have some sort of a shelter in case of extreme weather, like an igloo which is perfect. here is a link to a short video of an outdoor calf rearing system you may...