Calf Loses Condition After Weaning: Why 1 kg of Starter a Day Is Not Enough

Weaning from milk or milk replacer is one of the most sensitive moments in the life of a dairy calf. The Polish farming outlet topagrar.pl explains why calves often grow more slowly and fall ill more easily after this step, and what farmers should check beforehand.

Why problems arise

Milk is a newborn calf's main source of nutrients and is easy to digest. At weaning it disappears, and the animal must meet its energy needs from solid feed that is harder to digest. If it cannot, it ends up with a negative energy balance: weight gain worsens and susceptibility to disease rises, particularly respiratory and digestive illnesses. The source notes that any illness during rearing can later delay first calving, shorten the animal's time in the herd and permanently reduce milk yield.

How much starter is needed

For many years it was assumed that milk could be withdrawn once a calf ate at least 1 kg of starter a day. Recent research shows this is only the absolute minimum, covering maintenance needs but not guaranteeing good growth and immune function. Calves receiving 0.9–1 kg of dry matter from liquid feed often gain more than 1 kg a day, so on the day of weaning they need to eat at least 1.5 kg of starter. As a test, 1.5 kg should be put in the feeders 2–3 days before planned weaning; if most calves do not finish it, they are not ready.

The total amount matters too: a calf should eat about 30 kg of starter before weaning. This is needed for the rumen, the first stomach compartment, to develop and learn to digest solid feed efficiently.

Weaning gradually

Milk should not be removed overnight. Calves receiving more than 5 litres of milk or replacer a day in particular should have the amount reduced gradually, which stimulates starter intake. Abrupt withdrawal causes stress and diarrhoea.