How to care for calves born in winter
2021-01-28
The climate is cold in winter, and the calf just born is weak. We must pay attention to strengthen the feeding management and do the relevant care to let the calf survive the winter healthily. So, what management should be done for calves born in winter? Let's take a look together below:
1. Keep cold and warm
The most suitable growth temperature for calves is between 15-20 degrees and the humidity is about 60%. In winter, the temperature is generally low, and the temperature in most areas is below 10 degrees. Therefore, wind and cold protection measures should be taken in advance.
Some gaps in the pen should be sealed to avoid the intrusion of wind. At the same time, the corresponding heating equipment can be placed. The bedding should be thick and dry. Once the bedding becomes wet, it needs to be replaced in time.
In addition, heating is important, but ventilation cannot be ignored. You can properly ventilate when the weather is clear.
2. Broken umbilical cord
After the calf is born, the delivery staff should handle the umbilical cord in time. Normally, the umbilical cord of the calf will be torn off naturally. When it is not torn off, use sterilized scissors to cut the umbilical cord at a distance of 6-8 cm from the abdomen. The iodine is disinfected, and the broken umbilical cord does not need to be bandaged. You can tie a small button to let it fall off naturally. The mucus on the calf is best to be licked clean by the cow, which can increase the relationship between mother and child, but the mucus in the mouth and nasal cavity should be removed with a towel in time, and the soft hooves of the calf should be peeled off to help it stand.
3. Take milk as soon as possible
After the calf is born, try to let it eat colostrum within half an hour. This is because colostrum contains more maternal antibodies, which can enhance the calf's resistance to diseases. For weaker calves, artificial breastfeeding is required until it can feed on its own.
Fourth, strengthen management
After the calf is born, the barn should be kept clean and hygienic. The barn should be cleaned regularly, disinfected regularly, and the barn should be cleaned and observed frequently, and the pads should be changed frequently. Use warm water.
5. Prevent and control the epidemic
Calves that eat colostrum generally have higher levels of antibodies in their bodies and are generally less likely to get sick. However, due to environmental influences such as temperature and humidity in winter, two common diseases of calves are likely to be cold and diarrhea (gastroenteritis).
One is the prevention and treatment of colds. If the calf's body temperature is increased, the nose is clear, the ears and nose are cold, the hair is erect, the body is trembling, the mouth is mucus, the tongue is white, and the breathing is quickened. These are typical cold symptoms. The following methods can be used for treatment: ① 60 grams of windbreak, 50 grams of nepeta, 50 grams of mint, 50 grams of perilla, 40 grams of gypsum, 50 grams of ginger, and 100 grams of green onions. ② 2 million units of penicillin, 40 ml of Baierdine, intramuscular injection, once a day for 3 days.
The second is the prevention and treatment of diarrhea. If diarrhea is found, it is necessary to clean the gastrointestinal tract, protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, and treat it with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. In the initial stage, you can use 30 grams of turmeric, 36 grams of silver flower, 28 grams of myrobalan, 18 grams of coptis, 18 grams of white peony, 15 grams of scutellaria, 15 grams of cork, 15 grams of ebony, 15 grams of pomegranate peel. . If the effect is not obvious, use antibacterial drugs. ①Inject Baibingxiao by intramuscular injection, 1 ml per 10 kg body weight, twice a day for 3 days. Or intramuscular injection to stop diarrhea, 0.3 ml per kilogram of body weight, 2 times a day for 3 days. ② Orally take 30 grams of Huqining or sulfamidine, 6 grams of TMP (antibacterial synergist), 30 grams of sodium bicarbonate, add appropriate amount of water, take it orally once, twice a day for 3 days.
In short, after the calf is born, pay attention to heat preservation, prevent wind, and create a warm, dry and clean hygienic environment for it. The weather is warm. At noon, let the calves come out to bask in the sun. In the calf barn, bedding should be changed frequently, and the humidity should be controlled below 55%. Some ash or lime materials can be sprinkled on it to achieve the effect of disinfection and dehumidification.
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