Changes in feeding advice for scouring calves

CONTRARY to traditional wisdom, the latest advice from AHI is that scouring calves should be fed five to six litres of milk per day in three feeds, in addition to electrolytes.

The milk supplies energy which will help the calf recover without too much loss of weight. Most scours are not caused by bacteria and antibiotics should only be used for very sick calves. The most important aspect of calf rearing is to calve in a clean, non-infected area and provide adequate colostrum as soon as possible after calving. If adequate clean houses are not available, calves should be moved into open, empty, well-bedded sheds or ideally have access to pasture.