Calf rearing in Quebec: "Colostrum is much more than antibodies"
Eight liters of milk from the fourth day
The objective is to obtain 1 kg of ADG during the pre-weaning period.
"Follow the calf, don't slow it down!" If he drank 7 liters on the first day (4 l then 2-3 l), he is certainly able to drink more than 2x2 liters on day 2. Take advantage of this phase where the feed conversion is much greater”, recommends Déborah Santschi. The classic plan in Quebec is to give 2x3 liters on day 2, then 2x4 liters on day 4. This until weaning, which is done in stages over ten days. More and more breeders give unlimited milk the first month (some are at 10 liters) and go down to 8 liters the second month. “We stimulate the heifer enormously during the period when the only thing she can digest is milk protein, to maximize her growth.”
For the milk powder, the nutritionist recommends using a powder with 100% protein from dairy sources, 16 to 19% fat, with a minimum of 26% protein for calves consuming 8 litres. “But if they're drinking 6 liters, 24% powder is fine.” The goal is to build muscle.
Pay attention to the mixing temperature: “too hot, the protein is cooked and the veal does not absorb it”. And the amount of powder: “use a scale. With a beaker, according to our measurements, the quantity of powder can vary by almost 30% depending on whether you draw from the top of the bag (not packed) or from the bottom of the bag”. The recommendation is 150 g of powder per liter of drink, that means 171 g per liter of water. In practice, “we take 4 liters of water, we put 1.2 kg of powder, we mix, we add 8 liters, and we mix with a stirrer”.
“The key to success is to be consistent: the same milk, at the same temperature, at the same concentration, served at the same time and every day. If the schedule is shifted by two hours, the calves will be thirsty and will drink much more quickly, which will disrupt their digestive system. Lack of consistency is one of the main causes of diarrhea. »
