Yeah mine are blue Angus and herefordWinter all my youngstock on hay. Look fine, natives mind.
Ye so youngest was weaned at 6 weeks and now 11 wks old so going through around 50ibs a day between 4 of them in 18% reared and barleyWhat age are we talking?
6 month old weaned calf, not a big issue. Younger calf, weaned young, could be.
Don’t confuse the name hay belly with hay actually causing it though. It’s simply a lack of protein in a growing animal. Normally they’d get protein from milk but if they’re weaned early they need bumped into calf starter, grower or grain.
Predominantly hay belly is found in bottle calves.
A well started calf, weaned later with a good developed rumen shouldn’t have an issue.
Pretty sure that fermenting milk in the rumen is a bad thing?? That’s why it’s good too pour the milk and rattle buckets in front of them as it starts the Oesophageal groove closing too get the milk straight into the abomasum?All calves, including those on a high milk diet, need water to ensure a good rumen development. That's because most of the milk in suckled calves, or in calves on artificial teats, ends up in the stomach, rather than in the developing rumen.
Pretty sure that fermenting milk in the rumen is a bad thing?? That’s why it’s good too pour the milk and rattle buckets in front of them as it starts the Oesophageal groove closing too get the milk straight into the abomasum?
Water encourages calves too take calf starter and fibre on board. So yes in that respect you’re right, water leads too rumen development. Although I do have mine on limited water until 6 weeks too make sure no one gorges on cold water.
Does that make a difference?! I have mine hung at shoulder so I haven’t got too reach so far over th pen side too clean out!Exactly. But should the bucket be at floor level or at shoulder level.
If you want some bed-time reading!!!!!! It seems that milk protein causes the groove to close, so that the milk goes into the abomasum, which is a good thing.Does that make a difference?! I have mine hung at shoulder so I haven’t got too reach so far over th pen side too clean out!
We started dairying this year and one of my many mistakes this year was feeding hay to young calvesI’ve been told that calves eating too Much hay can make them pot belly. Just wanted to get other people opinions on this
Alot depends on the hay, rubbish hay will grow hair and belly and lovely hay is as good as meal. Feeding good hay before its 4-5mths stored in the barn will make them scour too.I’ve been told that calves eating too Much hay can make them pot belly. Just wanted to get other people opinions on this