Read this article to learn about Care Management of New Born Calves and Cow. After reading this article you will learn about: 1. Introduction to Care and Management of Newborn Calve and Cow 2. Care & Management of Cow 3. Care with Regard to Milking 4. Care with Regards to Feeding.
Introduction to Care and Management of Newborn Calve and Cow:
1. Dipping the navel:
Each calf should have its navel dipped with a 7% iodine solution at birth. It is important to actually dip the navel, do not just spray it.
2. Nutrition:
Proper levels of protein, energy and trace minerals are required to assure that the newborn calf is provided with a good base level of nutrients for proper health after birth. Maintaining proper dry cow body condition is also important.
3. Environment:
The calving area needs to be as clean and dry as possible. Any excess moishire or manure can lead to a build-up of pathogens. Ideally, the calving area is cleaned, disinfected and re-bedded between calving’s.
4. Colostrum:
It is becoming common for the newborn calf to receive stored fresh colostrum so that it can be given garly. Having to mill (the cow giving birth before colostrum is given can often delay the actual first feeding by several hours. Colostrum supplements can be given to calves receiving less than ideal colostrum or for specific herds with specific disease challenges.
5. Add record keeping of newborn care, when calf was moved from calving area, navel dipped, fed colostrum, which provided care.
6. Set up a protocol to get calves dried off and warm during freezing weather – maybe look into supply of towels, warming area.
7. using a Colostrometer, check the antibody concentration of colostrum currently on hand. Train an employee to use a Colostrometer.
8. Submit a colostrum sample to a lab to check for species and concentration of bacteria.
9. Establish a protocol for feeding colostrum that feeds enough clean, good quality colostrum early enough to get 80 per cent of the calves testing 5.0 or higher for blood serum total protein.
Care & Management of Cow (before, during and After Parturition):
A. Before Parturition:
1. Turning cow into a loose box:
To isolate from other animals, animal of advance pregnancy must be separated into calving box which must be cleaned & properly disinfected, bedded with clean, soft & absorbent litter.
2. Guarding Against Milk Fever:
In advanced pregnancy stage high yielding & first calvers are susceptible to Milk fever. To avoid it, provide enougli minerals especially calcium by bone meal in daily diet. Give large doses of Vit. D about a week period to calving.
3. Avoid Milking:
Prior to parturition which is likely to delay parturition by few hours?
4. Watch for parturition signs:
Signs to know primary stage of parturition which are udder become large, dislended, herd, depressed or hollow appearance on either side of tail head, vulva enlarged in size, thick mucus discharge from valva, and uneasiness of the animal.
B. During Parturition:
1. Dilation Phase:
Consists of the acts Le down & get ups, uneasiness due to labour pain, observe these acts from safe distance without making disturbances to animal.
2. Parturition period:
In normal case period is of 2-3 hrs. while in first calving 4-5 hrs. or more. Observe from safe distance without disturbing the animal.
3. Watch for presentation of Calf:
The phase of expulsion of foetus, observe the appearance of water bag & its gradual emergence, bursting of it and appearance of fore feet with hoof & mouth.
4. Normal presentation:
Any deviation from normal presentation of calf occurs; the immediate help of veterinarian should be taken being care of Dystokia.
C. After Parturition:
1. Expulsion of placenta/after birth: The placenta is discharged within 5-6 hrs. after calving in normal case while if not discharged within 6-7 hrs. get the help of veterinarian and treat as per requirement.
2. Supply Luke-warm drinking water to cow.
3. When placenta expelled, prevent cow from eating.
4. The placenta should be properly disposed off by burying in ground.
5. Clean cow’s body with clean & warm water with antiseptic.
6. Supply moistened bran with crude sugar or molasses.
Care with Regard to Milking of Cow:
1. After Parturition when first milking, ensure that all blockages from teats removed.
2. Cow may be milked three times a day until the inflammation disappears from the udder.
3. Provide enough minerals i.e. calcium & phosphorus through diet & do not milk fully at a time to avoid milk fever in high yielding cows
Care with Regards to Feeding of Cow:
1. Types of feeds provided – milk laxative, palatable &c nutritious.
2. Suitable feeds – Wheat bran, oats, and linseed oil seeds.
3. DCP & TDN of ration must be 16-18% & 70% respectively.
4. 40-60 gm. sterilized bone meal & 40 gm. common salt may be added, to grains.
5. Succulent green, palatable fodders containing 50-60% legumes are suitable while amount concentrates should be increased gradually in three weeks.