Keeping older German calves healthy is not self-evident

The older calves seem to have more discomfort from transport than young calves. A vet recently noticed intestinal bleeding in recently transported German calves. This occurs with young calves, which almost never occur during transport. The general impression is that the relocation at a somewhat later age probably has more influence. Pneumonia is also being detected in German calves more than before. It occurs almost immediately after entry. This is often repeated two weeks later to a slightly lesser extent. Treating the calves soon after arrival is then desirable. The advantage that the animals are heavier then pays off. The calves recover more quickly and at a later age there are fewer offspring. Feeding the German calves on arrival is another point of attention. Because the animals are somewhat older, it is expected that the animals can be fed more firmly. However, practice shows that it is better to treat them as 14-day-old calves. That means absorbing electrolytes and ...