Sprayfo calf milk replacers can be supplied to the calf through controlled feeding and a drinking machine.
Controlled feeding
In the case of controlled feeding, Sprayfo is fed to the calf twice a day (see feeding schedule).
Spayfo feeding schedule
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Age
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Colostrum / Sprayfo
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Day 1
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1st feed unlimited colostrum; 4-6 litres in total
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Day 2
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3 x 1.5 litres colostrum
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Day 3
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3 x 1.5 litres colostrum (+ water)
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Day 4 to 7
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3 x 1.5 litres Sprayfo + water + concentrates
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Week 2
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2 x 2,5 litres Sprayfo + water + concentrates
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Week 3
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2 x 3 litres Sprayfo + water + concentrates
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Week 4 to 7
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2 x 3,5 litres Sprayfo + water + concentrates+ roughage
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Week 8
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2 x 2.5 litres Sprayfo + water + concentrates + roughage
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Week 9
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1 x 2 litres Sprayfo + water + concentrates + roughage
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Water, roughage and concentrates
- From the 2nd week on, it is important to supply good hay, alfalfa and calf concentrate. Good pre-dried silage is always better than bad hay.
- From the 2nd week on, fresh water should be made freely available. This will stimulate the intake of roughage and concentrates.
Rumen development
Offering water, roughage and concentrates to the calf from the 2nd week onwards will speed up rumen development. Rapid rumen development ensures an optimal growth pattern. After weaning, the calf will be fully dependent on the digestion of feeds which have to be decomposed in the rumen. It is highly undesirable to have a growth delay after weaning, due to insufficient rumen development. Any such delay can be compensated for only to a limited extent. The calf has a rather high chance of suffering fat degeneration (e.g. of the udder tissue) with negative consequences. So the sooner rumen development is underway, the easier it will be to wean the calf, and the heifer will develop into a dairy cow in the proper way.
Starting with an easily digestible Sprayfo calf milk replacer ensures rapid rumen development, less weaning-related stress, good health and a proper development from calf to dairy cow.
The calf’s development is crucial. In other words, the farmer has control over the time of weaning but not the feeding schedule. If circumstances dictate that cow’s milk must be supplied, vitamins and minerals should be added.
Drinking machine
In the case of ‘machine’ feeding Sprayfo is supplied ad libitum via an automatic drinking machine.
The following is important for this feeding method:
- after birth, place the calves in clean individual boxes for at least 7 days
- supply colostrum and Sprayfo with a weaning bucket
- after about 1 week group the calves around the drinking machine
- Sprayfo will then be supplied through the drinking machine
- fix the nipple at 70 cm height
- check and clean the mixing beaker and powder outlet every day
- check the dosing of Sprayfo and water regularly and adjust when necessary
- following a Sprayfo feeding curve milk is fed to the calf to achieve optimum growth and health
Set up drinking machine by Sprayfo rearing specialist
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