Feeding Methods:

Te Ao Hou, September 1955, Page 55

Feeding Methods: Twice daily feeding is the most practical and satisfactory. Calf scours is more likely to occur when the milk is too rich and the adding of water to milk with high butterfat content is recommended before feeding. It results in a softer and more easily digested curd in the stomach. For example, two pints of water per gallon would be added to milk with a 4.5 test. Best results will be obtained from rearing calves on either whole milk or skim milk after a period on whole milk. Where whole milk is used to rear calves, the period of feeding can be shortened and the calves weaned at eight to ten weeks depending on their size and whether or not they have been and will continue to be rotationally grazed on first class pasture. Where skim milk is to be used for rearing calves, whole milk should be fed for at least a fortnight and the weaker calves up to three weeks. The changeover from whole milk to skim milk should be done gradually over a period of three weeks. The only difference between whole milk and skim milk is in the fat content. The deficiency must be made up, either by providing good pasture or by using cereal meals, e.g. barley, meal, meatmeal, maise meal, etc. The meal is best given dry in a container after milk is fed. Not more than one and a half gallons of skim milk is needed daily. Over-feeding will cause unthriftiness and potbellied condition.