Care and management immediately after calving Cleaning the udder and hind quarters of cattle. Mucus removal from the face and nostrils of calf and induction of respiration. Allowing the calf to suck the colostrum. Naval cord ligation. Watching of cow for placenta expulsion. Essential requirements in a calf house Dry bedding. Well ventilated environment. A specific minimum cubic air capacity per calf. A draught free environment at calf level. Floor space requirement for calves Age of calves (months) Covered area( m2) Open area(m2) No. of calves/pen 0-3 1.0 2 24 / pen 3-6 1.5 3 16/ pen 6-12 2.0 4 12/pen Feeding and watering space requirements for calves Feeding space (cm) Watering space (cm) 50 / calf 50 / calf Feeding schedule for calves Age of calf Body weight (kg) Quantity of milk(kg) Concentrates Green fodder From birth to 4h week 25 2.5 Smaller rate Smaller rate 4 to 6th week 30 3.0 50 to 100 grams Smaller rate 6 to 8th week 35 2.5 100 to 250 grams 500 grams 8 to 10th week 40 2.0 250 to 350 grams 750 grams 10 to 12th week 45 1.5 350 to 500 grams 1.0 kg 12 to 16th week 50 - 500 to 750 grams 1.5 kg 16 to 20th week 55 - 750 to 1000 grams 2 kg 20 to 24th week 60 - 1 to 1.25 kg 3 kg 6 to 9th month 70 to 100 - 1.25 to 1.5 kg 5 to 8 kg 9 to 15th mont5h 100 to 150 - 1.5 to 2.0 kg 8 to 15 kg 15 to 20th month 150 to 200 - 2.00 to 2.25 kg 15 to 20 kg Above 20 months 200 to 300 - 2.25 to 2.50 kg 20 to 25 kg Vaccination particulars for your calf Age Vaccination 8 weeks before weaning Black quarter (1st vaccine) 2-4 months FMD first vaccine 6-8 months FMD booster vaccine 6 months Anthrax Black quarter (2nd vaccine) Hemorrhagic septicemia vaccine 4-8 months Brucella vaccine Early once FMD vaccine Deworming of calves Deworming should be started from the first week of calf. A single oral dose of 10 g piperazine adepate is recommended for the calves preferably in the first week of life to control neonatal ascariasis especially in buffalo calves. Deworming should be done every month for first 6 months, thereafter once in three months. The deworming drugs and dose should be consulted with qualified veterinary doctor. Over dose and under dose of deworming drugs should be prevented to check the side effects. Source: Expert System for Cattle & Buffalo, Directorate of Extension Education, TANUVAS