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Oesophageal reflex
In cows and older calves, any water roughage and concentrates they have ingested land in the rume. Milk should certainly not be found in the rumen – rather it should go to the abomasum. In order for milk to be directed to the abomasum, the oesophagus must close as a result of the oesophageal reflex.
This reflex is triggered if:
- the calf drinks warm milk from a bucket
- milk is supplied via a teat
The milk goes straight to the abomasum via the closed oesophagus. If the calf ingests other nutrients such as concentrates and hay , and even water, the oesophagus will not close.
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