Hygiene has been a crucial cornerstone of health and medicine for generations. The word itself comes from Hygieia, who is the Greek goddess of health. Early civilisations came to understand the significance of cleanliness. It is still vital to this day, for human and animal health.

In modern dairy farming, hygiene practices have evolved together with medical advancements. This is to guarantee the productivity of dairy herds. In dairy farming, proper hygienic practice is necessary to halt diseases and promote the wellbeing of calves. During the early stages of life, they are especially vulnerable. We’re going to go over some tips you can use for raising healthy dairy calves.

Calving hygiene

What you’ll need here is a clean birth environment. Make sure the calving area is dry and hygienic. Disinfect the area regularly and also dispose of any bedding or manure that could hold pathogens.

Then there is the management side. Immediately following birth, feed calves top tier colostrum to increase their immunity. Clean the cow’s teats before your calf nurses. If necessary, manually feed the colostrum.

Maintain clean pens

Pens need cleaning and disinfecting regularly to stop the build up of pathogens. See to it that bedding is dry and change it frequently to prevent damp conditions that promote bacteria growth.

You also need decent ventilation in calf housing. It lowers humidity and enhances air quality. This works to stop respiratory diseases. If you need merchandise for animal health, give us a call.

Feeding equipment hygiene

You will also need to do a thorough cleaning here. Feeding utensils need to be cleaned after each use. To disinfect them, use a water-bleach solution. See to it that the utensils are entirely dry before reuse. Plus, avoid stacking feeding equipment until everything is dry.

Avoid cross contamination too. Never use the same equipment for healthy and sick calves. Being careful here can reduce the risk of outbreaks.

You also need to use disinfectants and detergents effectively. With detergents, use them to remove organic matter like milk residue. This is essential as organic matter can deactivate disinfectants. After cleaning with a detergent, use a suitable disinfectant. See to it that you have sufficient contact time to kill pathogens.

Personal hygiene and biosecurity

Anyone working with animals will need protective gear. Always make use of clean, non-slip boots, gloves, and protective garments when working with calves. This will lower the risk of transferring pathogens between animals, boosting animal health. Hand washing is necessary as well. Give your hands a good wash before and after handling the animals to halt the spread of diseases.

Regular health monitoring

Perform daily checks on your calves so you can look for signs of illness like poor appetite, abnormal faeces, or lethargy. Early detection and interventions are really important to ensure you manage diseases properly.

Veterinary consultation is also advised. Work with your vet closely to establish health protocols. See to it that you deal with any signs of disease promptly. Regular vaccinations and health assessments are critical parts of comprehensive management plans.

You can rely on us to help with animal health

At JS Hubbuck Ltd, we have a myriad of products for all kinds of farming, including dairy. We can provide you with the essentials you need to prevent issues and keep animals healthy. So, if we can help you in any way, let us know.