Top 5 methods to wean a calf from sucking a cow and veterinarian advice

Weaning a calf from the udder is a complex process and several important factors need to be considered. Carrying out this procedure, you need to remember that young animals with such manipulations experience stress that can affect the development of the animal. However, despite the above, there are several options for solving the question of how to wean the calf from sucking the cow.

What is it for?

Weaning has two purposes. This procedure is carried out because while the calf is sucking the udder, the total milk yield of the farm drops. This circumstance is disadvantageous for farmers. In addition, the calf must eventually switch to dry food, since he will not live with the cow permanently.

It should also be borne in mind that the quality of milk may change as the young grow older. In this regard, the growing animal will not receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. This procedure is carried out at the age of 3 to 10 months. Most farmers wean calves from mother's milk on day 605. The procedure is recommended when the weight of the animal exceeds 10 kilograms.

Preparing calves for the process

Before proceeding with weaning from the udder, it is recommended to perform the following manipulations:

1. Remove horns and castrate if necessary. Both procedures are easier to carry out when the calf is not separated from the mother. Otherwise, due to severe stress, the animal may get sick or lose weight.
2. Allocate a separate room for the cow and calf in a few weeks.
3. Clean the pen from contamination. This will help avoid the development of respiratory and other diseases.
4. Gradually introduce complementary foods and water. It is recommended to start with legumes, cereals and concentrated protein.

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It is also necessary to vaccinate the animal for the first time before weaning.

Weaning methods

The method of weaning is selected taking into account the conditions of detention and the capabilities of the owner of the farm. Certain difficulties arise when this procedure is carried out in relation to young animals that are artificially fed.

Traditional

The traditional method of weaning involves performing the procedure in several stages:

1. A suitable day is being selected. It is recommended to carry out the procedure during the warm season.
2. Placing multiple drinkers and food containers in a convenient location.
3. All adult cows are gradually transferred to a new pen (no more than 1-2 animals per day).
4. Closing the calf pen.

This practice does not affect the herd in any way.Traditional weaning is easy because the calves always leave the corral to fetch the cows. However, young animals need 3-4 days to get used to new conditions of detention.

Natural

This method does not involve human intervention. The calf stops sucking for natural reasons. However, this requires the cow to become pregnant again. The adult animal repels the young after calving. The advantage of this method is that the calves stay in the herd. The rest of the animals help the young to socialize and become independent from the mother.

Weaning "through the fence"

Such weaning is carried out according to the scenario of the traditional method. But in this case, the calves and cows are located in adjacent pens so that the young cannot suck out the milk. With this approach, animals are not separated from each other. The whole herd continues to "communicate" (sniff each other, and so on).

Young animals get used to new living conditions within 3-4 days. After that, calves begin to lose interest in their mother, switching to silage and other complementary foods.

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With a nose ring

The essence of this method comes down to the fact that the farmer needs to make a muzzle in the form of a ring with pointed thorns. This design is temporarily attached to the nose of young animals. Weaning in this case occurs at the initiative of the mother: an adult cow with each feeding will repel the children, as they scratch the udder with a muzzle. The procedure takes 1-2 weeks. During this time, the young gradually get used to feeding on grass and drinking water.

Moreover, there is no stress, since the animal is constantly next to its mother.

Artificial feeding methods

Weaning from the udder with artificial feeding begins long before the animal switches to hay. Over time, a “mother-child” psychological connection is established between the milk farmer and the young. At the onset of 3-4 months, the livestock owner needs to gradually dilute the artificial feed with water or daily reduce the number of portions (less successful option).

Carrying out the described manipulations, it is necessary to ensure constant access to hay and mineral additives. You also need to regularly replenish your drinking cup.

What do veterinarians advise?

For normal development and calm weaning from the udder, it is important:

1. Keep pens clean and change bedding in a timely manner.
2. Monitor the weight of the animals regularly.
3. Establish a solid barrier between mother and baby prior to starting the weaning procedure. The cows tend to return to the calf in the first 5 days.
4. Reduce the influence of stress factors.

According to veterinarians, weaning with a nose ring is the best option. In this case, both the cow and the calf lose the habit. This option is especially relevant for primiparous animals.