REARING A CALF

Materials

• Ancalf or other suitable milk powder or wholemilk
• Suitable bucket
• If desired – teat system to bucket
• Brush
• Face cloth
• Hay
• Enclosure
• Meal 
• Lead and Halter
• Practice Ring
• Water for drinking
• Cover (can easily be made from a clean sack)

Feeding the Calf

Colostrum must be given to your calf from birth to 4 days old.   They should then go on to a suitable calf milk powder preparation of wholemilk.

Approximate feeding :

Birth to 4 days: (Colostrum)   1-2 litres, twice daily;

Week 1:                                               2 litres, twice daily;

Weeks 2-8:                                          3 litres, twice daily.

The temperature of the milk is important.   Do not allow it to cool down.   Do not overfeed – scouring can result.   Talk to calf in friendly way while feeding

General Care of Calf

• Feed milk regularly
• Brush daily
• Wash around face after each meal
• Check once a week for any sign of lice.   If lice are found sprinkle louse powder on calf and rub it over animal.   Repeat 10 days later to eliminate infestation.
• Check shelter is clean and dry
• Wash feed utensils after each meal
• Check to make sure your calf is not scouring.    If it should scour seek professional advice promptly.
• Check cover and halter to make sure that they are still fitting correctly.   It is not advisable to leave halter on calf continuously.
• Calves should be wormed monthly
• Drench for worms regularly

Grooming Hints

• Always brush in direction of hair
• Use a soft bristled brush
• Use a damp cloth to clean ears and around mouth
• Keep hooves free from mud

DO NOT clip your calf or use a metal brush or comb to brush it!

Leading

Spend some time each day.   Initially this would involve a short walk.   Then practice over a variety of places to get calf used to many different sights and sounds.

1. The right hand should grip the rope, palm upwards and ten to twenty centimetres from the halter.
2. The left hand should grip the rope, knuckles upward leaving the loop of slack rope between the hands.   This loop of slack rope needs to reach the knees.   Do not wrap excess rope around the hands.
3. Stand between the head and shoulder of the calf at all times – standing or moving – keep your head up – look straight ahead and walk the same pace as the calf.
4. Pay particular attention to the fit of the halter.    Watch the throat especially.   Do not use a new halter for the first time on the day.
5. If you must hit the calf, do so with a left-hand back motion, using the short end of the rope behind your back.
6. ALL CONTROL SHOULD BE EXERCISED BY THE RIGHT HAND ON THE LEAD.

Lead calf in an anti clockwise direction around the practice ring.    Walk to first corner and circle peg 1 in an anti-clockwise direction.    Proceed to peg 2 and stop (count to 3) walk to peg 3 and proceed round in clockwise direction.    Keep pace with calf.    Walk upright look ahead and keep on a straight line.  Steer calf by moving hand holding lead left or right.

Rearing

care

cleanliness

condition

knowledge

rapport

• Have name for calf and know its birthday
• On the day be prepared to discuss various rearing aspects eg. breed type, care etc.
• Make sure calf’s face, ears, legs, hooves, flanks, rear end and under stomach are clean for the day.
• Brush well, try to get out all loose hairs.
• When standing with calf hold its head upright with front and rear feet spaced evenly apart.
• If it is wet or cold on Agricultural Day provide a cover

Dairy Type

This section is assessed on 

No jandals or bare feet

Halter lead should be clean