Animal groups

Calf nutrition

Step by step from birth to four months: colostrum, the milk period before weaning, starter feed, weaning and the weeks after.

Colostrum

0–24 hours

The calf is born without antibodies and depends entirely on colostrum for passive immunity. The gut absorbs antibodies best in the first hours of life; after about 24 hours absorption practically stops.

Key points

First feeding within 1–2 hours of birth: about 10–12% of body weight (around 4 L for a Holstein calf).
A second feeding of about 2 L within 12 hours.
Check quality with a Brix refractometer: 22% or higher is good-quality colostrum. Store surplus good colostrum frozen.
If the calf does not drink enough, use an oesophageal feeder; do not wait.
Collect, store and feed colostrum clean; bacteria interfere with antibody absorption.

Target

Serum total protein ≥5.5 g/dL (or serum Brix ≥8.4%) in calves aged 1–7 days.

Transition milk

Days 2–4

Milk from the 2nd to the 6th milking after calving is still richer in protein, fat, antibodies and growth factors than normal milk. It protects the gut locally and supports its development.

Key points

Feed transition milk for the first 3–4 days instead of moving straight to whole milk or milk replacer.
Split it into at least two feedings a day.
Start offering clean water and a small handful of starter from day 3.

Target

An active calf with good appetite and firm faeces at the end of the first week.

Milk period before weaning

Week 1 – weaning

Before weaning the calf is a monogastric animal: milk is its main source of energy and protein. Well-fed calves grow faster, get sick less and, according to many studies, give more milk in their first lactation.

Key points

Offer around 6–8 L of whole milk or milk replacer per day, or more in accelerated programs; about 4 L a day only covers maintenance.
Split the daily amount into at least two, preferably three feedings.
Feed at a consistent temperature (about 38–40 °C), time and concentration.
Milk replacer: about 22–26% crude protein and 15–20% fat, preferably from milk proteins; mix at 12.5–15% solids according to the label.
Offer clean fresh water from the first days, separately from milk. Milk goes to the abomasum, water goes to the rumen.
Clean bottles, buckets and teats after every feeding.

Example milk program (Holstein, step-down weaning)

Age	Milk / milk replacer per day	Feedings
Days 1–3	Colostrum, then transition milk	2–3
Week 1	6 L	2–3
Weeks 2–5	8 L	2–3
Week 6	6 L	2
Week 7	4 L	2
Week 8	2 L, then stop	1

Target

Daily gain of about 0.7–0.9 kg and birth weight doubled by about 8 weeks of age.

Starter feed & rumen development

Day 3 – weaning

The rumen develops through fermentation of starter feed: butyrate and propionate produced from grain stimulate papilla growth. Milk alone does not develop the rumen.

Key points

Offer a palatable, fresh starter from about day 3; small amounts, replaced daily.
A good starter: about 18–22% crude protein (DM), texturised or pelleted, low in dust and fines.
Water intake drives starter intake; never restrict water.
A small amount of chopped straw or hay (around 5% of the total) can support rumen function; avoid large amounts of long hay before weaning.
Do not overfeed milk in the last weeks; high milk intake holds back starter intake.

Typical starter intake (Holstein)

Age	Starter per day
Week 2	50–100 g
Week 4	250–400 g
Week 6	0.7–1.0 kg
At weaning	1.5–2.0 kg

Target

Steadily rising starter intake from the second week.

Weaning

Weeks 6–8

Weaning is a stress point. Doing it gradually, based on starter intake rather than age alone, prevents a growth slump.

Key points

Reduce milk step by step over 1–2 weeks rather than stopping abruptly.
Wean Holstein calves when they eat about 1.5 kg starter a day for three consecutive days (up to 2 kg in high-milk programs).
Keep calves in the same pen and on the same starter for 1–2 weeks after weaning.
Avoid other stresses (dehorning, moving, vaccination) in the same week.

Target

Weaning weight about twice the birth weight, with no drop in weight gain in the weeks around weaning.

After weaning

2–4 months

The weeks after weaning are a second transition: from individual housing to group life and from starter to a grower ration with forage.

Key points

Move calves into small groups (about 5–10) of similar age and size.
Change one thing at a time: first the group, then the feed, about a week apart.
Switch gradually to a grower concentrate (about 16–18% CP) and introduce good-quality chopped hay.
Provide enough feed-bunk space so all calves can eat at once.
Watch for respiratory disease, which often appears after grouping.

Target

Daily gain of about 0.8–1.0 kg; around 120–130 kg at 4 months (Holstein).

Calf scours

Health

Diarrhoea is the most common cause of calf losses in the first weeks. Dehydration, not the infection itself, is what kills most calves.

Key points

Watch for sunken eyes, skin that stays tented, weakness and loss of suckling reflex.
Give oral electrolytes between milk feedings and keep feeding milk; follow your veterinarian’s advice on treatment.
Prevention: colostrum, clean and dry pens, hygiene of feeding equipment, dam vaccination where recommended.

Target

Treatment rate for scours below 10–15%; mortality below 3–5% in the first 60 days.

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Educational content with general guidance; targets vary by breed and farm. Diagnosis and treatment of sick animals are your veterinarian’s job.

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