Gauteng Smallholder Gauteng Smallholder August 2017 | Page 29

LIVESTOCK
From page 26
first milking following delivery
is called colostrum. It
contains important nutrients:
vitamins, minerals, energy
and protein, besides antibod-
ies (immunoglobulins) and
many other important
substances.
Calves that get sufficient
amounts of good-quality
colostrum in their first few
hours gain passive immunity
against germs, thus protecting
the calf through its first weeks
until its own immune system
becomes fully active.
They will also have learnt
how to drink.
Try to build up a good
relationship with the farmer,
so that you can ask advice
when necessary.
A small calf weighs less than
37kg, a medium 37-43kg and
big calves are more than
43kg. Buy the mediums if
you have a choice. Don't buy
the small ones.
If you are transporting the
Rearing bought-in calves to slaughter weight can be lucrative
young animals by vehicle,
make sure they are not
stressed by high or low
temperatures or wet weather
on the trip. Try not to move
them on the back of an open
vehicle, especially during cold
or wet weather. Do not
restrain the calves by tying
their legs with wire or rope.
Rather put each one into a
feed bag with its head sticking
out.
Isolate the calves and give
them electrolytes as their first
feed on the farm. Keep them
away from other animals in
case they have brought in any
diseases.
To lessen the effects of
change, which is stressful, ask
your vet if you should inject
each animal with a tetracy-
cline injection according to its
weight when moving it. This
will help control pneumonia
and gallsickness.
Feed a good quality propri-
etary milk powder and follow
the mixing instructions very
carefully. Protein levels in the
milk replacer should be 23-
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26%.
Feed the calves twice a day
for as long as you are able.
Otherwise feed them twice
daily for the first four weeks
then go on to 1 x day
feeding. Be consistent with
feeding times, temperature of
milk, concentration and the
amount of milk.
Offer a good quality calf meal
from Day 1. The calves will
start licking it at first but then
soon start nibbling the pellets.
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