As temperatures go down, you need to utilise strategies to safeguard dairy calves. Most importantly, you need to keep them protected against cold stress. What we want to do is offer scientific insights alongside practical tips to aid you in managing the animals when it gets cold. This will help to ensure their growth and health. Then, if you need supplies like animal feed, you can rely on us.
The effects of cold stress
To begin with, we’ll discuss the physiological effects on calves. When temperatures fall under 10ºC for newborn calves and under 0ºC for older calves, they suffer from cold stress. This stress results in physiological responses that aim at preserving body temperature.
One negative effect here is the higher energy demand. Calves use up more energy to remain warm. This diverts it from immune function and growth. The outcome can be increased vulnerability to disease and slower weight gain.
Another effect is a decrease in feed efficiency. The calves will use more calories for maintaining body heat instead of growth. So, they won’t be using food as efficiently as they could.
Managing it
Now that we know about the dangers of cold stress, we can discuss practical tips for managing it. There are different things to try, including changes to animal feed and housing.
Feeding
Firstly, you can enhance your feed practices. Do this by increasing milk intake. Supply extra milk or milk replacer to match the higher energy requirements. Factor in the temperature here, increasing it more as it gets colder. Also consider the weight of each calf. Generally you will need to increase between 2% and 25%.
Warm milk feeding is another solution. See to it that milk or milk replacer gets fed at body temperature. This is to minimise the energy calves need to internally warm it.
Calf jackets
Secondly, you can make use of calf jackets. A jacket offers an extra layer of insulation that allows calves to preserve body heat. Go for products that are waterproof and come with adjustable straps for a snug fit.
However, there is a crucial thing to keep in mind here; monitoring. Regularly inspect under the jacket to check that it stays dry and doesn’t result in overheating as temperatures shift.
Improve housing conditions
Good housing is absolutely crucial for the health and wellbeing of calves when it is cold. A crucial thing to do is ensure you are using dry bedding. Utilise deep, dry straw to offer insulation from the cold ground. If there is any wet bedding, replace it to stop moisture accumulating.
With shelter, see to it that housing is draught-free but sufficiently ventilated. This is to minimise ammonia build-up and humidity. Keep it clean too and ensure animal feed is managed correctly.
For heat sources, you could invest in heating systems for colder months. They can absolutely be worth the investment.
Group housing
Another tip would be to use group housing. It can help with warmth sharing for one thing. Housing calves in small groups could aid them in sharing body heat. However, see to it that you manage groups to stop stress and overcrowding. Group housing promotes socialisation too. This can minimise stress levels.
Monitoring
Finally, you should do regular health checks. Look for signs of cold stress. Monitor calves for things like poor appetite, lethargy, and shivering. Early detection enables you to react promptly. Be especially careful to monitor animals with problems that could be made worse by cold stress.
Always choose quality animal feed
At JS Hubbuck Ltd, we have multiple feed options available. This makes it easier for you to find something that meets your needs. There are also plenty of other goods in our inventory to help improve animal health and wellbeing. It can even include services to create custom housing.
So, if you’d like to know more about animal feed or other products, feel free to speak to us. We can give every client the perfect level of support.