MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF WEANERS
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF WEANERS
The following practices should be performed in order to properly manage the calves. These operations should be done just before or after weaning:
- Identification: Tagging and/or branding to identify the calves for proper recording
- De-budding: Use dehorning/debudding iron to dehorn the calf once horns appear
- Castration: Use rubber rings or elastrators to castrate bull calves that will not be used for breeding
- Deworming: Use appropriate anti-helmintics to control worms
- Tick control: Use recommended acaricides and method to control ticks and tick borne diseases
- Weighing: Use weigh bands or scales to weigh calves at birth.
Important Calf Diseases
DISEASE
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Naval ill
-Inflamation of the naval area
-Mild fever
– Reduced appetite.
-Make sure the maternity and calf pens have a lot of clean dry bedding
-Do not keep calves in wet soiled pens.
Pnuemonia
-Calves have high fever and find it difficult to breathe
-There could be mucus from the nose and also watery eyes
-Keep the calves out of wet and cold draughts
Scouring / Diarrhoea
-Watery stool
-Dehydration
-Depression
-Weakness resulting in staggering or inability to stand
-Ensure that a calf consumes adequate colostrum and that it suckles all the time for energy and nutrients
-Calves should be separated from adults
-Need for a dry and clean calf pen
