This is what the ideal build-up schedule looks like according to Johan Verdaasdonk, specialist in young cattle:
- Day 0 to 2: colostrum phase.
- Day 3: start with 5 litres of powdered milk per day, divided over at least two portions.
- Day 4 – day 14: work towards 6 litres of powdered milk per day, divided over at least two portions.
- Week 2 – week 6: feed 7 litres of powdered milk per day, so 1 kilo of milk powder per day, divided into at least two portions.
- Week 7: start slowly reducing the powdered milk.
- Week 8: switch to feeding once a day, preferably in the evening.
- Week 9: weaning
Feeding two or three times a day?
“Whether you choose to feed milk two or three times a day mainly depends on your habits as a dairy farmer,” Johan notes. The advantage of feeding three times a day is that you distribute the portions of milk better. However, Johan sees the greatest advantage in the extra checks. “You see your youngest and most vulnerable animals, at least three times a day.”
Choose your type of milk powder
Which type of milk powder suits you depends on your wishes, your working method and your calves. View all milk powders here. Feel free to ask the young cattle specialist in your region which milk powder suits you. Dairy farmer Cynthia, for example, chooses this breeding bull for Kalvolac Start. Here she explains why (Dutch only):
Limited or unlimited milk feeding?
The choice for limited or unlimited feeding is also up to you as an entrepreneur. “With unlimited milk feeding, monitoring drinking behavior is difficult, but very important,” notes Johan, who therefore only recommends unlimited feeding if the same person always feeds the calves. “With unlimited milk feeding, you ultimately use more milk powder, but you can get the best calves,” says Johan, who also points out more flexibility in feeding times. However, hygiene is a very important point of attention with unlimited feeding.