The effect of large milk meals on digestive physiology and behaviour in dairy calves

Abstract

It is commonly believed that young calves should not be fed more than about 2l of milk per meal. If calves are fed beyond this volume, it is said that the capacity of the abomasum may be exceeded and that milk could enter the rumen. This can disturb the microbial flora/fauna of the rumen and increase the risk of indigestion, diarrhoea and reduced growth. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of large milk meals on digestive physiology and behaviour in dairy calves. Six calves (19-23days of age at the beginning of the experiment) were fed 2l of warm whole milk by teat bottle three times per day, which was the recommended Norwegian feeding regime at the time. The calves were given free access to hay, concentrates and water. During three morning feeding sessions, each separated by 48h, all calves were offered larger meals. The offered amounts were calculated according to the within patient 3-level Response Surface Pathway (RSP) design. The milk given on the three test days contained a contrast medium (barium sulphate), and the animals were radiographed before, during and immediately after intake to reveal whether milk entered the rumen. Four out of the six calves drank more than 5l in one meal and the highest voluntary intake was 6.8l in one meal (13.2% of BW). Abdominal radiographs showed that the abomasum has a large ability for distension. Milk in the rumen was not observed in any of the calves, regardless of intake. The behaviour of the calves was observed for 2h after each test session. No behaviour indicating abdominal pain or discomfort was observed regardless of intake. The results indicate that when warm whole milk is administered from a teat bottle, farmers can increase the amount of milk they offer their calves beyond the traditionally recommended portion size without risk of milk entering the rumen. Hence, farmers who want to feed their calves more milk can do so by increasing meal sizes, and not necessarily by introducing an additional meal.

Effects of Feeding Milk Replacer Ad Libitum or in Restricted Amounts for the First Five Weeks of Life on the Growth, Metabolic Adaptation, and Immune Status of Newborn Calves

“…Recent studies in milk-fed calves have indicated that the abomasum of 3-week old calves increases in size during milk feeding and can manage a milk portion greater than 2–3 liters [55]. In addition, automated milk feeding facilitates the division of the daily milk ration into several portions, and calves provided milk ad libitum drink their daily ration in approximately 6 portions [10].…”

Effects of milk replacer feeding rate and long-term antibiotic inclusion in milk replacer on performance and nutrient digestibility of Holstein dairy calves up to 4 months of age

“…Berends et al (2015) reported MR flowing to the rumen of nipple-fed veal calves given solid feed (measured using cobalt recovery) averaged about 20% of a meal. However, other researchers have reported even with meal sizes as large as 6.8 L, nipple-fed calves offered whole milk did not experience any liquid feed entering the rumen (Ellingsen et al, 2016). Despite conflicting evidence, it is reasonable to assume that some calves may experience liquid feed entering the rumen and therefore have exposure of the rumen microbiome to orally administered antibiotics on a regular basis.…”

Randomized response surface pathway design with odd response outcomes in a Latin Square designed study

“…Assume that b 1 calf on the second design level calculated by the RSP procedure to receive intervention B 1 , b 2 to receive dose B 2 , b 3 to receive dose B 3 , b 4 to receive dose B 4 , and b 5 to receive dose B 5 . The milk temperature to be used on the third design level for the seven new calves will then be allocated by weighted complete randomization (b 1 ,b 2 ,b 3 ,b 4 ,b 5 ) following the same procedure as explained for the second design level.…”

“…For RSP, the three temperature outcomes a 1-3 in design level 1 indicates at the next dose k-factor-adjusted temperature A 1-3 to undergo randomization and they are selected to pinpoint the respective five temperatures clinically used in design level 2. Similarly, the three temperature-adjusted A 1-3 for small and large teats, respectively, give rise to the five next temperatures which in turn in design level 2 produce the clinical outcomes b [1][2][3][4][5] . Furthermore, the five temperature outcomes in design level 2 will undergo randomization and in turn point out the selected pathway for the seven next temperatures to be used in design level 3.…”

“…3 For older calves with ruminal development, milk in the Rumen is undesirable as it may affect the ruminal pH and cause indigestion, diarrhea, and reduced growth. 4 To ensure efficient and complete closure of the reticular groove, it is generally recommended to feed dairy calves with warm milk at 38°C from a small aperture teat. Practical experience shows that this is not always followed as farmers often are found to save time during manual feeding by cutting off the convex tip of the rubber teat.…”