Weaning Calves Without a Growth Check

A calf that stalls at weaning loses growth that is hard to regain. The cure is preparation: a working rumen, steady starter intake and as little stress as possible.

Key points

A growth check at weaning comes from an unready rumen or too much stress.
Wean when starter intake is steady, not only when calves reach a certain age.
Step milk down gradually and slow down if intake lags.
Spread out other stressors and track growth through and after weaning.

Why calves stall at weaning

At weaning, the calf loses her main source of energy and nutrients and has to rely on solid feed. If her rumen is not ready, she eats too little, loses weight and may get sick. The growth check that results can last weeks.

The best prevention starts weeks earlier, with good starter and water access. Many farms see the same pattern each time: calves that were slow to eat starter in the first weeks are the ones that stall hardest at weaning.

Weaning is a transition for the calf and also for the person feeding her. Plan the work ahead so you are not rushing.

Wean by readiness, not just age

Age is only a rough guide. Many farms wean calves when they are eating a steady amount of starter, as set by the program. Ask your veterinarian or nutritionist what intake target fits your calves and your feeding system.

Calves that are small, sick or slow to start may need more time. Weaning them on the same date as healthy calves is a common cause of setbacks. Writing down the intake each calf reached before weaning gives you proof of what worked.

Check starter intake for several days in a row before deciding, since one good day is not the same as a steady habit.

Step down gradually

Gradual weaning gives the rumen time to take over. Programs step milk down over a period of days or weeks, and the starter intake should rise as milk falls. If it does not, slow the step-down.

Ask your nutritionist for a plan that suits your feeding system, whether bottles, buckets or automatic feeders.

Some farms group calves by intake or size at this point so that small or slow animals are not pushed out. If a calf looks sick at any point in the step-down, call your veterinarian rather than continuing the plan as if nothing had changed.

Reduce milk in steps as planned
Watch starter intake daily during the step-down
Slow down if intake lags
Keep water fresh and available

Reduce other stress

Avoid doing several stressful things at once. Moving pens, regrouping, dehorning or disbudding, vaccinations and transport all add stress. Spread them out so the calf is not facing them at weaning.

Disbudding and other painful procedures should be vet-led and welfare-first, and your certification program may have its own rules. Even small events such as a new person feeding the calves can be one stress too many.

Heat, cold, wet weather and drafts add to the stress at weaning, so pay extra attention in rough conditions.

Keep calves in familiar housing if possible
Avoid mixing groups right at weaning
Plan vaccinations and procedures with your veterinarian
Keep bedding clean and dry

Feed and water after weaning

After weaning, calves need quality starter or a transition ration, plenty of clean water and forage as advised by your nutritionist. Make changes gradually. Offer enough bunk space so every calf can eat at once.

Keep an eye on the pen. Calves that eat little, cough, scour or look dull need attention. Call your veterinarian early. Keep a close eye on the pen for the first days after the last milk feeding, since that is when many calves slip.

Forage can be introduced as your nutritionist advises, but starter often remains the main feed for a while after weaning.

Track growth

Weigh or measure calves before, during and after weaning. A steady line is the goal. If weights flatten or drop, review starter intake, health, housing and the weaning plan.

Keep records so you can compare groups and adjust the program next time. Calves that gain steadily through weaning usually go on to breed and calve on time.

Share the numbers with everyone who feeds calves. People work harder at a goal they can see.

Common mistakes and what to ask

Common mistakes include weaning by calendar alone, stepping down too fast, combining weaning with other stressors, and letting water or feed run low. Another is ignoring calves that were slow starters.

Review these questions with your team. Make a habit of reviewing the whole weaning process once a year with your veterinarian.

Revisit your plan after each group is weaned and write down what you would change, while the details are fresh.

What starter intake do we want before weaning?
How should we step down milk in our system?
Which procedures can we move away from weaning time?
How do we measure growth through weaning?

When to get help: Ask your nutritionist to review the ration and any change before you make it, and call your veterinarian if animals go off feed, scour, lose condition or show signs of illness. If any animal is treated, follow the label or veterinarian withdrawal times for milk and meat exactly.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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