Calf rearing

0–7 days: colostrum

Colostrum in the first 2 hours of life — 10% of body weight daily in 3–4 feedings. Passive immunity forms only from colostrum — critical.

1–4 weeks: milk + starter

Milk/replacer 6–8 L/day, starter from day 3 ad libitum, water separate from milk. Individual hutches — infection prevention.

4–8 weeks: starter build-up

Target — 1 kg starter/day before weaning; milk gradually reduced. Quality hay, constant water.

8–12 weeks: weaning

Wean at 1–1.5 kg starter for 3 consecutive days. Move to group pens of 4–8 head — minimize grouping stress.

3–6 mo: roughage

Hay/silage + concentrates 2–3 kg; target gain 700–800 g/day. Vaccinations and treatments per calendar.

Economics (guide)

Milk period: ~350–450 L milk/replacer + 60–80 kg starter ≈ calf cost to weaning. Each week of delayed weaning −gain.