Calves with Sam

Rules for Using a Tube Feeder

 

The December 11 issue of Progressive Dairyman contains this note about tube feeders [slightly edited to put into bullet format]:

Dr. Sheila McGuirk, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine makes these suggestions:

•  Don't use the esophageal feeder if a calf cannot maintain a sitting position or its abdomen is already full.
• Don't use it to force a calf to drink milk or milk replacer unless you and your veterinarian agree that it is appropriate for an individual calf.
• It is appropriate to use it to administer colostrum or electrolyte to a scouring calf. 
•  Have enough tube feeders so that they can be cleaned and sanitized before reuse.
• Have separate tube feeders for colostrum feeding and sick calf electrolyte feeding. [emphasis added]

I must admit to not following this last bit of advice. On reflection it does make sense given the weaknesses in on-farm sanitation procedures. Let me know what you think about this. 

 

Other resources on tube feeding:

www.calffacts.com click on Colostrum: tube feeding - 4 rules

or try this link for a teaching outline on tube feeding:

http://www.atticacows.com/documentView.asp?docID=997

or try this link for Jim Quigley's summary on tube feeding:

http://www.calfnotes.com/pdffiles/CN083.pdf