How are newborn calves cared for?
Dairy farmers provide comfortable, safe and hygenic conditions for both mother and calf during the birthing process and afterward. Because dairy farmers care about the health of their calves, the calves are placed into separate living quarters shortly after birth to control their environment and protect their health. Since newborn calves need time to build up their immune systems, it’s better that they aren’t around older animals ― and the possible germs those animals could pass along. Also, it’s very important that the calves get two quarts of colostrum — the mother’s first milk after giving birth — when they are newborns. Colostrum is high in fat and protein and has lots of antibodies in it that help strengthen the immune system. When calves are left to nurse their mothers, they usually don’t receive enough. That’s why dairy farmers often step in and feed them colostrum from a bottle.
