Naval sucking incalves

Pigken

Member
Location
Co. Durham
Hello has any one any practical solution or idea why calves suck naval and how to prevent it, am talking about bucket reared calves, find some batches none, some batches lots, all come from same farms, iodine seems to stop them for day or two, our 'expert' says its down to salt, but they have access to rock salt from arrival and do not bother with it, why do they suddenly start, we thought mild weather had started the again but then some 4 month old calves started when was minus something, could it be anything to do with atmospheric pressure, water supply, or is it just bad behaviour of a few, can make real mess of them, and not practical to always remove from group, have seen 8 month old calves doing it, any thoughts ideas be appreciated
 

Blaithin

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Alberta
Generally in bottlefed calves they finish their milk quicker than if they were nursing a cow. Their head doesn’t have time to catch up to their stomach and know they’re full yet so their suck reflex keeps going. Most sucking will happen immediately after being fed.

It can also come down to a boredom and comfort thing. Bored calves will suck. Sucking is equivalent to nursing which is a form of comfort. You’ll notice similar behaviours in early weaned kittens and puppies. Some calves suck ears, I had one bottle baby suck the switch right off her tail so it never grew, some go for udders and can ruin a replacement heifer at a young age, others do navel. If they have adequate salt levels then I’d be inclined to follow the suck reflex path.

Best solution besides individual hutches? Weaning rings for the worst offenders.
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
We always try to rattle there cake in the bucket/trough as soon as they've finished the last drop of milk . Hopefully they learn milk, cake, sleep rather than get into the habit of navel sucking after milk but we always get an odd one but they always grow out of it.
 
Location
East Mids
We try and individually pen for exactly this reason but sometimes (like now) have to double up as we are 'full'. If we can't re-arrange to leave the 'sucker' on its own we try and get some concentrate into them immediately and give some fresh hay or straw as a distractor until the suck reflex has gone away until next feed.
 

Dead Rabbits

Member
Location
'Merica
Generally in bottlefed calves they finish their milk quicker than if they were nursing a cow. Their head doesn’t have time to catch up to their stomach and know they’re full yet so their suck reflex keeps going. Most sucking will happen immediately after being fed.

It can also come down to a boredom and comfort thing. Bored calves will suck. Sucking is equivalent to nursing which is a form of comfort. You’ll notice similar behaviours in early weaned kittens and puppies. Some calves suck ears, I had one bottle baby suck the switch right off her tail so it never grew, some go for udders and can ruin a replacement heifer at a young age, others do navel. If they have adequate salt levels then I’d be inclined to follow the suck reflex path.

Best solution besides individual hutches? Weaning rings for the worst offenders.

I think you are exactly right. I've also seen people use the nipples where the calves have to suck the milk up a straw. That made them work and slowed them down. One could also dump a bunch of water in after the milk to entertain them.

If getting weaned calves then not much you can do except the weaner ring/flap.
 

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