Basic Bottle Feeding Protocol For Muskox, Reindeer And Caribou Calves

From UAF Veterinary Services, June 1999

 

 

FORMULA

 

  • Consistency - choose a brand that works and stay with it. Keep a record of the formula recipe and be alert to factory changes. Avoid switching brands.

 

  • Throw out stale-dated, damp, broken or torn bags of formula. Stock and maintain a fresh supply of replacer each year.

 

  • Do not use a medicated formula.

 

  • The formula will be evaluated annually by LARS staff and the attending veterinarian. Evaluation will be based on calf performance and health problems.

 

CONCENTRATION

 

  • For muskoxen, reindeer and caribou, milk replacer should be mixed to a concentration of approximately 25% or 1 part replacer to 3 parts water. If the animal begins scouring the concentration should be reduced (1 part replacer to 4 parts water). Keep the volume the same. All changes in concentration must be recorded in the daily record (sample attached).

 

  • Do not increase the concentration without consulting the attending veterinarian.

 

  • Replacer can be mixed in bulk and stored in the refrigerator a maximum of 24 hours. Gently heat to body temperature (99-102 degrees) before feeding. Always test temperature before feeding animals.

 

  • Do not put any additives in the milk without informing the attending veterinarian. Additives (vitamins, etc.) should not be left in the milk during storage but added just before feeding. Vitamins should be added after heating, do not heat milk with vitamins added.

 

VOLUME

 

  • Calves should be fed a volume of approximately 10% of body weight. This total volume is divided over a number of feedings each day following the schedule outlined below (modified from Groves, 1992).

 

AGE

WEIGHT (KG)

DAILY VOLUME (L)

DAILY FEEDINGS

0-1 WKS

8 - 12

0.8 - 1.2

6

1 -2 WKS

10 - 18

1.0 - 1.8

5-6

2 - 4 WKS

15 - 22

1.5 - 2.2

4-5

4 - 6 WKS

20 - 26

2.0 - 2.6

3-4

6 - 8 WKS

24 - 40

3.0 - 4.0

3

2 - 3 MOS

30 -50

3.0 - 4.0

3

3 - 4 MOS

45 - 65

2.5

2

4 -6 MOS

60 - 90

1.5

1

>6 MOS

>75

1.0 - 1.5

1

 

Example: At 1 week of age, a 12kg calf should receive 0.2 liters (200 ml), 6 times per day.

 

  • The volume to weight feeding ratio does not have to be absolutely precise. Animals that weigh within 2-3 kg of each other may be grouped together and fed at a rate of 10% of mean group weight. Volumes should be adjusted at the age intervals suggested in the table.

 

  • Animals that are significantly smaller or larger than the group (or the targeted weight for age) should have feed volumes individually calculated.

 

  • Increase volumes gradually over several feedings and/or days.  Do not make abrupt changes in volumes or concentrations.

 

  • Whenever a change is instituted, watch the calf carefully for signs of scours or other health problems and record all of this in their daily record.

 

  • For every feeding, record the amount offered and the amount refused on the appropriate data sheets.

 

PREPARATION, FEEDING AND CLEAN-UP

 

  • An experienced person (designated by the farm supervisor) must be responsible for starting calves on the bottle and training new personnel.

 

  • Calves to the age of 8 weeks should be fed with a one-liter or smaller bottle and a lamb nipple (small black nipples). Make sure the nipple fits tightly over the bottle. Older muskox calves can be fed with calf nipples (large orange ones) and the larger plastic bottles.

 

  • Make sure the milk flows readily from the nipple. New nipples frequently need the hole enlarged. Alternately, avoid nipples with a large opening for very young calves. Aspiration is a potential problem if the milk flow is too rapid.

 

  • Each calf should have its own bottles and nipples labeled and/or marked for identification.

 

  • Each calf must have its own bottle feeding file. Information must be recorded immediately after each feeding.

 

  • Equipment used for preparation of milk replacer should not be used for anything else. It must be cleaned immediately after each use in hot, soapy (Dawn) water; thoroughly rinsed and stored in a clean, relatively protected area. Before preparing more milk, rinse in hot water.

 

  • Baby bottles and nipples must be cleaned immediately after each feeding in hot, soapy (Dawn) water, rinsed, dipped in dilute Nolvasan solution, rinsed several times and stored in a clean, protected area. Rinse in hot water again before each feeding.

 

  • Always feed a calf standing, with its head up slightly. Offer the bottle from the front, with the calf standing between your legs or tucked under your arm. The bottle should be securely held in the hand or tucked against the body. (Hold onto the edge of the small, black nipples, calves can sometimes pull them off.)

 

RECORD KEEPING

 

  • Use the prepared data sheets for recording all information.

 

  • Each calf has its own file and all files should be kept in the same place, readily accessible to all farm personnel looking after the calves and the veterinarians.

 

  • Record any changes made to this basic protocol (feed volumes, concentration, time of feeding, number of feedings etc.)

 

  • Also record, in the comments section, information on the general health and attitude of the animal (see section below).

 

HEALTH AND ATITUDE

 

  • Weigh the calves daily and record.

 

  • Note
    • declining weights or weight stasis (weight remains the same for 3 - 4 day period).
    • declining food intake.
    • lack of interest in feeding.
    • depressed attitude and no interest in playing.
    • color and texture of feces.
    • refusal to eat pellets or creep feed.
    • willingness to eat hay, grass and browse.

 

PROBLEMS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

 

  • Scours: Loose feces results from a number of different causes
    • Note consistency and color of feces - record
    • collect 2 samples as soon as scours are noticed. LABEL and put 1 sample in the refrigerator and 1 sample in the freezer.
    • Monitor calf’s weight closely (daily).
    • PASTY FECES
      • If they persist or worsen over 24 hours then at the next feeding, cut back concentration of feed (from 1:3 parts water to 1:4 parts water) but offer the same volume. Feces should start to firm up over the next 24 hours. If they do not, alert veterinarian. After 3 days at the reduced concentration, slowly increase to previous 1:3 ratio.
    • LIQUID FECES
      • These usually squirt out the back end with force and are the most serious type of scours. They can rapidly cause dehydration in young calves. Collect 2 samples as soon as possible, reduce feed concentration and alert the veterinarian. Veterinarian needs to be kept informed as to improvement (or lack of improvement) on a daily basis.

 

  • Bloat: Rapid, excessive production of gas in the rumen. While not a problem directly related to bottle feeding, it’s not uncommon in bottle raised animals.

 

    • A calf that has over-eaten grain or fresh green grass may bloat. The animal’s sides will feel taut, like a drum, when touched and will appear swollen. In more serious cases, the pain will cause the animal to kick at its belly.

 

    • In animals showing mild discomfort, walk them and keep them moving. Place calf in a pen away from grain or new grass. Watch closely and call veterinarian if condition worsens.

 

    • If the animal is kicking at its belly, rolling and in obvious pain, alert the farm manager and veterinarian immediately.

 

  • Attitude: The handler is in the best position to assess changes in personality and attitude.

 

    • This is an important clue as to the well-being of the calf. A healthy calf should come running for he bottle and drink quickly and aggressively.

 

    • Between feedings they should play and graze.

 

    • Beyond 2 weeks of age they should be interested in eating pellets, grass and browse. They should be offered a variety of treats - carrots, apples, creep feed, pellets, grass etc.

 

    • Alert the farm manager and/or veterinarian when a calf looks hunched when standing - hangs its head - shows no interest in surroundings or food, does not play with others.

 

The attending veterinarian should be notified immediately if:

 

  • The calf appears weak or lethargic - no matter what else is going on.

 

  • If the calf refuses 2 feedings in a row (notify sooner if this is coupled with lethargy)

 

  • The calf develops watery diarrhea. NOTE: if the calf is active and alert but passes a loose stool, watch for a second stool before notifying the veterinarian. Sometimes a calf may have a single loose stool followed by a normal stool. Ensure that this is noted in the records!

 

  • You think something is wrong. This is very important. If you think something is different about the calf then call the veterinarian. Better to be over cautious then deal with a more serious problem later.

 

The veterinarian will maintain regular (weekly) contact with the individual in charge of bottle fed calves.

 

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