Page 234 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Calf rearing

The management and feeding of calf is called calf rearing. When a calf is born it
may be left to stay together with the dam for 3 to 4 days in a warm room containing
a thick grass bedding on the floor to suckle colostrum. It can also be shifted to a
room (calf pen) and fed colostrum from a bucket or bottle soon after being separated
from the mother (refer to Figures 10.3 (a) and (b)). Colostrum is very important to
the calf because:
(a) It is highly nutritious (rich in proteins, vitamin A, D, and E, minerals and fats).
(b) Rich in antibodies which pass immunity from mother to calf.
(c) Has laxative effect which clears the first faeces (faecal meconium) from the
digestive system.

Figure 10.3 (a): Feeding calf by bucket Figure10.3 (b): Feeding calf by bottle

If the mother dies before the young animal has received colostrum or is alive but not
producing any colostrum, the young animal may be nursed by another mother that
has recently given birth. If it is not available, artificial colostrum should be prepared
and fed. Procedures for making artificial colostrum are as follows:
(a) Clean and disinfect all utensils and hands to be used for making the artificial
colostrum.

(b) Take 1 litre of whole milk immediately after milking.
(c) Mix the milk with 1 litre of warm clean water.
(d) Take 1 teaspoon of cod-liver oil, 3 teaspoons of castor oil, 1 teaspoon of salt
and mix with the above mixture.
(e) Take an egg and break the shell and pour the contents into the mixture and mix
thoroughly.
(f) The mixing process should be done fast to avoid the mixture from becoming
cold.
(g) A fresh mixture should be made every time the new-born is fed.

Student’
Student’s Book Form Twos Book Form Three
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