Calf feeding methods

6.1.1   Individual suckling

The natural way for a calf to feed is to suckle the dam after she is milked, the farmer having made sure that the dam is not milked dry. This is the most hygienic way as the calf gets milk directly from mother, clean and at body temperature.

6.1.2   Foster mother or multiple suckling

one milking cow may be assigned a number of calves to suckle, depending on the level of milk production. This is practical only on farms with several cows lactating at the same time.

6.1.3   Nipple suckling

A rubber nipple is fixed on a milk bottle and the calf is trained on how to suckle. The alternative is to put milk into a bucket and insert a flexible plastic hose pipe with one end attached to a nipple.

6.1.4   Bucket feeding

The most commonly used method is bucket feeding. The calf is trained to drink milk placed in a bucket (place your finger in the milk and as calf suckles your finger it imbibes