Prominend UK

1 hour ago

☀️🐮 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗟 🐮☀️

Hot weather can be tough on calves.

Heat stress does not always start with dramatic signs. Often, it begins quietly: calves eat less, drink more, lie down more and start breathing faster than normal. 🥵

During warm weather, calves can reduce their 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬%. That means less energy for growth, immunity and overall performance.

In more serious cases, you may notice 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 or even 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 — a clear sign that the calf is really struggling.

Small management changes can make a big difference. 🤌🏻

🥛💧 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚

🔅 Make sure calves always have access to 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻, 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿
🔅 Feed during the 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆, early morning or late evening
🔅 Offer dry feed later in the day, so digestion heat is produced during the cooler night hours
🔅 Check feed daily and remove anything that is stale, warm or spoiled
🔅 Clean water buckets regularly, especially during hot weather
🔅 Consider giving extra water with 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗲𝘀 in the afternoon
🔅 Avoid refreshing water straight after milk feeding, as calves may drink too much too quickly

🏠🌬️ 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧

🔅 Keep calves in the 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗲 where possible
🔅 Allow enough 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 between calves to reduce heat build-up
🔅 Make sure there is plenty of 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 and good ventilation
🔅 Keep bedding dry, clean and comfortable
🔅 During very hot periods, consider using 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘄𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁 instead of deep straw
🔅 Start 𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 early, as flies add extra stress
🔅 On very hot days, cooling the roof of calf housing with cold water can help reduce heat inside

Heat stress can affect calves long after the hot day has passed. Supporting them early helps protect 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. 🐮💧

Would you like practical advice for your own calf housing or feeding routine?

Get in touch with our calf rearing specialists here 👇🏻
www.prominend.co.uk/contact-form/ ... See MoreSee Less