Looking good for calf club day

Calf Club is approaching, and local veterinarian Sally Moore shares tips on looking after the new best friend in the family.

You need to remember a few essential things to make the journey to calf club and beyond fun and safe.

You need time and a love of the task of looking after your pet.
Milk – either powder, colostrum or from the milking shed – needs to be provided, as well as fresh water. There must be warm shelter with clean bedding, a safe enclosure, calf meal and access to grass.

Included in the essential kit are collar and lead, grooming equipment and a calf cover.

Over the following weeks Global Veterinary Services will cover a few veterinary points of interest to help with rearing and knowledge for the big day(s).

Here are some tips:

* Ensure calves are dehorned way in advance of calf club.

* Dock and castrate lambs ideally between one day and one week old. After six weeks the lamb will need veterinary attention to perform this little task as surgery.

* Ensure your pet has had colostrum in the first 1-4 days of its life. This milk provides protection against diseases early in the pet’s life and concentrated food.

* If you are feeding milk powder follow the instructions closely for volumes and mixing regimes. If using cow milk, calves need 2 litres twice daily, with hay and grass available from seven days. After two weeks meal can be provided.

* Always feed milk at 38 degrees Celsius, which is body temperature.

* Keep feeding utensils perfectly clean.

Next week we will delve into scours, what it is and how to prevent it.

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