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Cullom, Illinois | I'm struggling with this group of calves. Have had to pull about one calf per week for hip and hock injuries. Average about 600 lbs. If caught early enough, a week or two on lime and they can be put back on the slats(rubber covered). If not caught early, they become a lost cause. Too lame to feed out and many times, easily succumb to secondary infections. I'm thinking the injuries come from riding occurring at feeding time. Consumption is good (30 lbs/hd/day). Sent a feed sample in today to test calcium levels. Have others seen this issue on slats? Would increasing minerals in the ration help? Vet doesn't have a lot of answers. Banamine keeps them going for a while but not the answer. Another issue that arises is we treat for secondary infections and pneumonia when we pull them and run into withdrawal issues if butcher becomes the only answer short of euthanasia. | |
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Hip injuries in confinement feeders
