Calves with scour

Stan27

Hey.
We currently have 15ish calves (6 weeks) that are on milk formula (we changed type of formula last week to one with less protein). They are very well looked after and have great straw bedding, good hygiene, good individual space and no draft in shed. Solids they eat are a little hay and calf nuts.
But they are still scouring a lot
Anyone have any ideas

jus_tin4

Had that on the farm as well! contact your vet and they will sort it. they gave us a powder to put on calf crunch for a week and its all pretty much cleared up. No name for the stuff though sorry

whelan2

Do you vaccinate cows for anything and do calves get anything for crypto /coccidiosis etc. Where they scoury before you changed milk

Stan27

whelan2 wrote: »

Do you vaccinate cows for anything and do calves get anything for crypto /coccidiosis etc. Where they scoury before you changed milk

No they were bought in calves from a farm. Ye they werw before we changed. It was the reason we changed.
Thanks

sh1tstirrer

Switch them to a skim based milk replacer like shine, whey based replacer are rubbish.

whelan2

If they where mine I would dose them for coccidiosis and talk with vet

Stan27

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

Switch them to a skim based milk replacer like shine whey based replacer a are rubbish.

Replacer

frazzledhome

Stan27 wrote: »

Hey.
We currently have 15ish calves (6 weeks) that are on milk formula (we changed type of formula last week to one with less protein). They are very well looked after and have great straw bedding, good hygiene, good individual space and no draft in shed. Solids they eat are a little hay and calf nuts.
But they are still scouring a lot
Anyone have any ideas

6wks old most likely change of replacer.
To be sure get a clean container milk sample bottle I use. Any jar will do. If using jam pot etc scald eoth boiling water. Stimulate a few calves to dung collect 2 samples. Take to vet 10 min test will reveal problem if its not diet change.

A milking glove would do either

_Brian

Make sure your mixing the new replacer to the right strength ( sounds silly but easy mistake)

Why change to a lower protein? Unless their diet was over 20% average ?

I agree with Whelan about coccidiosis, I'd probably treat for it anyway to be sure. Vecoxin is the stuff.

Don't give calves hay, clean barley straw is better for them.

Are tey definitely on right meal, starter pencils or crunch, weanlin or beef would be strong at that age.

Natural youghert is a good job to settle the stomach in sucks. Add to the milk or mix with warm water and down the gullet individually.

Make sure buckets and drinkers are well washed after every feed.

Keep birds from contaminating feeders and meal.

Talk to your vet !