How to feed a cow after calving: making a diet at home

Each farmer carefully prepares for the appearance of offspring in cattle. Therefore, the question of how to properly feed a cow after calving worries him more. If the cow is prepared in advance, properly fed, providing a supply of nutrients, then there will be no problems after childbirth. Carefully designed complementary foods, taking into account the recommendations of experts, will help with this.

What can I give?

The quality of nutrition after calving is of great importance. The animal receives vitamins and minerals from various types of feed.

Green food

Summer diet consists of fresh green grass and legumes. They contain proteins, amino acids, vitamins necessary for the animal. Green food is an easily digestible food that has a beneficial effect on the body.

Roughage

Hay and straw are roughage. It is applied in winter due to the lack of fresh grass. Harvested from the summer, roughage is not inferior to green. Useful substances and vitamins are present in it in unchanged quantities.

Juicy food

Juicy feed consists of vegetables, silage, root crops. They contain carbohydrates that stimulate appetite in animals. With their help, dry ingredients are easier to digest and water consumption is reduced.

Concentrates

Mixed feed, cereals, bran are concentrates. They help the protein to enter the body of the animal, are an indispensable additive to the main feed of cattle.

How to properly feed a cow after calving at home

Complementary feeding should begin 30 minutes after calving. Warm water and hay are suitable for this. In the first days, the heifer is given meadow hay, wheat bran. On the third day, a mixture is applied, which includes bran, oats and flaxseed meal. The weight of the mixture prepared in this way is 1.5 kilograms.

The next two days the weight of the feed is 2 kilograms. After 3 days, add 400 grams of feed. Beets, silage, pumpkin are given with great care.

Advanced meals are calculated based on their desired milk production. The cow is given more concentrated feed. To get an additional 1 liter of milk, you need 0.5 kilograms of a feed unit. For example, a cow is given 1.5 kilograms of grain and 5 pieces of root crops. This will increase milk yield by 3-5 liters. Advance nutrition in the amount of 20% increases the fat content of milk by 0.2%.

Feeding cows during milking season

After the birth of the cub, the cow begins to receive milk. It is necessary to carry out comprehensive measures for the maintenance, feeding, milking of livestock. The amount of food eaten should match the energy expenditure for milk production. To do this, concentrates are added to the animal's diet.

Starchy food in large quantities leads to an increase in the acidity of the stomach. In this environment, beneficial microorganisms that process fiber cease to cope with the task. The maximum volume of concentrates per meal should not exceed 4 kilograms. In the morning, the cow needs to be watered. And before feeding give fresh herbs. Feeding plan for milking:

1. Mixed feed contains particles of flour and sugar. This is necessary to reduce the harm of large amounts of concentrates when feeding.
2. Frugal farmers stockpile concentrated feed in advance. Pulp and bran are used as such feed.
3. Protein is an essential supplement that supplies the cow with strength and energy. A lack of protein reduces milk yield, and an excess is excreted in the urine. This does not increase milk production. Crude protein should not exceed 16% of the total feed.

To calculate the feed, the following indicator is taken: 1 feed unit is required per 100 kg of weight during the milking period. With a milk yield of 12 liters of milk, 10 feed units are required, with 20 liters - 12 units. The number of feed units is directly proportional to the amount of milk produced.

What specialists cook for cows

According to the experience of livestock breeders and farmers, it is necessary to change the diet every 14 days. In order for the cow not to feel discomfort, this process should be gradual.A cow after calving needs a varied diet, so experts prepare food in advance. Juicy food must be included in the diet.

First, experienced farmers give the animal warm water at room temperature, then feed it with silage and root crops. Concentrates are usually given during the daytime feeding. Evening food consists of hay and straw.

Double feeding and milking reduces maximum milk production, so don't limit yourself to that. If the necessary norms are observed, the quantity and quality of milk will be much higher. Undernutrition reduces the absorption of nutrients. Additional labor costs for three meals a day and care result in higher milk counts.

When the maximum productivity is reached, the number of milkings can be reduced. The paramount importance of feeding the cow fades into the background. Double feeding will be enough. At the same time, the amount of milk is reduced by 2%. The diet remains the same. The energy and new forces for the further reproduction of the cubs of the heifer must be accumulated in advance.

Peculiarities of feeding in winter

The quality and quantity of milk, as well as the he alth of cattle, depends on proper winter feeding. Winter food consists of silage, hay, root crops and straw. Coarse and dry food replace green grass. For every 100 kg of livestock weight, 5 kg of dry feed is required.

A balanced diet, rich in minerals and biologically active substances, prevails during this period. If the cow is fed only silage, it is necessary to normalize the amount of sugar in the body with the appropriate feed.Beets are given to cows whose milk yield exceeds 10 liters. Urea makes up for the lack of protein. Pulp and brewer's grains will balance the winter food. Brewer's grains are free and affordable complementary foods. It is found in large quantities in breweries. Livestock daily ration includes:

1. Roughage - 37-39%.
2. Juicy food - 34-35%.
3. Concentrated feed - 28%.

10151515 5-7Root crops, kg5 Concentrates, kg S alt, g50 6074100 50

Feed	Milk milk - 8 liters	Milk yield - 12 liters	Milk yield - 16 liters	Milk yield - 20 liters	Dry cows
Straw, kg	5	4	3	3	3-5
Silage, kg
		10	15

Before feeding, hay and straw are finely chopped, poured with hot s alted water. With the help of calcium, phosphorus and potassium, feed is enriched with vitamins necessary for livestock. It is forbidden to feed the heifer with frozen food, this will help to avoid the occurrence of diseases.

Possible risks and problems

The reproductive system of the heifer, the condition of the udder after calving should be given great importance.

Delay afterbirth

If after 6 hours after calving the placenta did not come out, the cow should be shown to the doctor. Reasons for delayed afterbirth:

1. Pregnant cow fed poor quality food.
2. Nutritional intake was insufficient.
3. The pregnant animal was rarely walked. The muscles of the uterus have lost the ability to contract, resulting in dystrophy.
4. Uterine distension or inflammation.

Udder problems

After giving birth, the udder of a heifer may swell. This is a symptom of the chest. It is necessary to stop milking the animal and let the calf near it. The cub will help to dissolve the udder, the swelling will subside. The udder must be decanted to such an extent that not a single drop remains there. If it comes to mastitis, the veterinarian examines the cow and prescribes treatment. Usually use "Bicillin". During treatment, milking of livestock is not stopped. For the udder, use Vishnevsky's ointment or Rigefen.

Paresis

Malnutrition, lack of calcium can provoke paresis. With this disease, the central nervous system of the heifer and the brain are damaged. This is a viral disease. The cow has paralysis of the limbs, a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin. The animal stops eating, drinking, hardly walks, body temperature drops to a minimum. If the heifer is not treated, the animal may die.Usually the doctor prescribes calcium chloride in droppers, glucose with Kalfoset. Careful livestock care will help avoid problems, and the appearance of new offspring will bring joy.

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