Miya Pearson
Newborn calves are fragile creatures that require careful attention and monitoring in their first few hours and days of life. During this critical period, they are vulnerable to various health issues, including difficult births, nutritional deficiencies, and infectious diseases. Ensuring their survival requires vigilant supervision and, at times, intervention. One aspect of their care that warrants attention is their sleep patterns. So, do newborn calves sleep a lot? This question is essential in understanding their development and well-being.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much newborn calves sleep | A lot during the first week of life |
| How soon calves should stand and nurse after birth | Within 2 hours of birth; within 30 minutes of delivery, according to another source |
| How to identify weak calves | Unable to stand and nurse within 1 hour of birth |
| How to treat weak calves | Tube feed stored colostrum; caffeine can be used as a stimulant |
| How to identify a difficult birth | Brown or yellow staining of the calf's hair coat from meconium |
| How to prevent weak calves | Solid vaccination and deworming program, proper nutritional management, and avoiding dystocia |
| How to identify milk fever in cows | Hypersensitivity, weakness, loss of appetite, excitability, and weight shifting |
| How to treat milk fever in cows | Administer calcium through IVs |
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What You'll Learn
Calves should stand and nurse within 2 hours of birth
The first 72 hours are critical for calves, and researchers have found that almost 50% of calves that die in the first 24 hours after birth are the result of dystocia or calving problems. It is therefore important to observe cows 3 to 4 times a day, and even more often for heifers.
If a calf does not stand and nurse within one hour of birth, the calf must be fed colostrum either milked from the dam or using a commercial colostrum replacement. Colostrum should be given as soon after birth as possible, preferably within 1-2 hours, and repeated at no later than 6 hours after birth. If the cow and calf have gone through a difficult birth, the producer may need to intervene and supplement the colostrum. In such cases, the best option is to get the colostrum from the dam herself, even if that means milking out the cow and giving it to the calf through a bottle or tube. If that is not possible, then a commercial replacement powder can be used, or colostrum can be obtained from another cow within the herd.
Weak calves born during cold, wet weather with little brown fat can quickly develop hypothermia and are unable to stand or nurse until warmed. A warm water bath, blow dryer, heat lamp, or floorboard heat can quickly warm a cold calf.
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Calves should be spunky and hard to catch
Newborn calves are extremely vulnerable, and the birth and the time immediately after is the most hazardous in their young lives. It is critical that they are able to stand and nurse within the first 1-2 hours after birth. Calves that experience a difficult birth may take longer to stand and are more likely to succumb to weather stress.
In the first 72 hours, calves should be observed for signs of weather stress, hypothermia, or starvation. They should look perky and well-fed, and they should be spunky and hard to catch. A lethargic calf that is standing humped up or looks cold may not be getting enough to eat.
A calf vitality (VIGOR) scoring system can be used to assess calves within minutes of birth to identify at-risk newborns for further intervention. It evaluates visual appearance, general responsiveness, mucous membrane colour, heart and respiratory rate, and reflex responses. Signs of distress can be easily identified in the calving pen in the time immediately after birth. For example, meconium (yellow or brown) staining of the hair coat, a slow blink after touching the eyeball, a weak or absent suckle reflex, blue mucous membranes, or a swollen tongue or head.
If a calf is struggling to stand or nurse, it may need to be tube-fed stored colostrum. Colostrum is best sourced from the mother, but if this is not possible, stored beef cattle or stored dairy cattle can be used. If these are not available, dried colostrum can be used as a last resort.
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Signs of distress in newborn calves
The first 72 hours are critical for newborn calves, and the birth and the time immediately after is the most hazardous in their life. There are several signs of distress in newborn calves that can be easily identified in the calving pen in the time immediately after birth.
Firstly, observe the mothering abilities of the cow and check if the calf is getting enough to eat. Calves that are lethargic, standing humped up, or looking cold may not be getting enough nutrition. Cows with mothering problems should be isolated with their calves in a barn or pen during the first day.
Secondly, look out for signs of hypothermia, which is common in newborn calves, especially those born outdoors in cold weather. A cold nostril and pale, cold hooves are early signs of hypothermia. In the early stages, vigorous shivering is usually accompanied by an increased pulse and breathing rate. Erratic behaviour, confusion, and a clumsy gait are also signs of mild hypothermia. Severe hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 94° F.
Thirdly, use a calf vitality (VIGOR) scoring system to assess the newborn calf within minutes of birth. This system evaluates visual appearance, general responsiveness, mucous membrane colour, heart and respiratory rate, and reflex responses. Signs of distress include meconium (yellow or brown) staining of the hair coat, prolonged time to sternal recumbency, a slow blink after touching the eyeball, a weak or absent suckle reflex, blue mucous membranes, hemorrhages or redness in the whites of the eye, and a swollen tongue or head.
Finally, be aware of respiratory distress syndrome, which can occur in premature calves due to surfactant deficiency. Signs of respiratory distress may include changes in blood coagulation potential. If you suspect respiratory distress, seek veterinary assistance, as therapeutic support for the calf's cardiopulmonary system may be required.
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Calf vitality scoring system
Newborn calves are extremely vulnerable, with 5-7% of calves in the US dying or being stillborn within the first 48 hours of life. To improve survival rates, it is essential to follow practical and consistent calving protocols, provide a clean and dry calving environment, and closely monitor the cow and calf during and after birth.
One tool that can help identify calves that require early intervention is the Calf VIGOR Vitality Score Card, developed by researchers at the University of Guelph. The VIGOR scoring system assesses the following:
- Visual appearance
- Initiation of movement
- General responsiveness
- Oxygenation
- Heart and respiratory rates
Each of these categories is given a score of 3, 2, 1, or 0, with higher scores indicating better vitality. The individual scores are then added together to give a general value for the calf's overall vitality. Scores of 26-27 indicate excellent vitality, 23-25 very good vitality, 21-22 good vitality, 17-20 marginal vitality, and less than 17 indicate poor vitality.
The VIGOR scoring system is designed to be applied within minutes of birth to identify high-risk/low-vigor calves that may require medical or other interventions to improve their short- and long-term outcomes, including health, growth, and productivity. For example, calves with a low VIGOR score may benefit from treatment with meloxicam or caffeine to help improve their vitality.
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Calf care and management
Birth Assistance and Early Care
It is important to observe cows frequently during calving, as early intervention can save the lives of both the cow and the calf. If a cow is struggling, assistance techniques such as pulling the calf gently or using calving aids can help. After birth, the calf's mouth and nose should be cleared of mucus, and the umbilical cord should be cut with sterilized scissors and disinfected with a tincture of iodine. The calf should be dried with a towel if the cow is unable to do so.
Colostrum Feeding
Feeding colostrum, or first milk, to the calf within the first 30 minutes to six hours after birth is critical. Colostrum provides antibodies that protect the calf against diseases and has a laxative effect. The recommended feeding rate is about 10% of the calf's body weight per day, up to a maximum of 4-6 quarts/liters per day. The quality of colostrum, including high concentrations of immunoglobulins, is also important.
Navel Care
The calf's navel should be monitored for the first two weeks of life for any signs of infection, such as excessive bleeding, pain, swelling, odour, or pus. Using a navel dip solution with iodine or chlorhexidine immediately after birth and again within the first day can help prevent infections and accelerate drying.
Vitality Scoring
Using a calf vitality (VIGOR) scoring system can help identify at-risk calves that may require further intervention. This system assesses visual appearance, general responsiveness, mucous membrane colour, heart and respiratory rate, and reflex responses.
Sleeping and General Behaviour
Calves sleep a lot during their first week of life. They should appear perky, well-fed, and energetic. Signs of weather stress, hypothermia, or starvation should be monitored, and calves should be kept in a well-drained pasture to reduce the risk of scours.
Overall, proper calf care and management require constant observation and intervention when necessary. Working closely with a veterinarian is essential to ensure the health and well-being of newborn calves.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, newborn calves sleep a lot during the first week of life. They also spend much of their time lying down during the milk-feeding period.
Newborn calves sleep a lot during the first week of life. However, there is no exact number of hours mentioned in the sources.
Newborn calves face several challenges, including weak calf syndrome, stillbirth, and difficulty breathing due to meconium staining of the hair coat or broken ribs. They also have little immunity to diseases, making them vulnerable to infections and weather stress.
To improve the survival rate of newborn calves, it is important to provide adequate nutrition to the dam during pregnancy, intervene early during birth, and practice proper calving supervision and employee training. Additionally, solid vaccination and deworming programs, as well as early intervention and veterinary care, can also improve survival rates.
