Avoiding the Post-Weaning Slump in Dairy Calves – Vet Guide 2025 🐄📈

Welcome! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Reaching weaning is a big milestone—but the real challenge is keeping calves productive *after* milk is removed. From 2–6 months, calves undergo 50% of their lifetime stature growth and 25% of weight gain. Here’s how to guide them through this critical window for long-term success.

1. Do One Change at a Time 🧭

Stress compounds when multiple changes happen simultaneously. For example:

• First: adjust feed (ration & diet composition)
• Then: change housing, group, or environment

This stepwise approach gives calves time to adapt psychologically and physiologically.

2. Stepwise Feed Transition 🛠️

Calves need nutrient-dense diets to support rumen development and prevent digestive issues.

1. Starter Level: use high-protein starters (16–20%) until calves consume ~10 lb/day.
2. Transition Phase: over 3 weeks shift to a grower diet (14–16%) with free-choice hay.
3. Young Rumen Support: continue grain intake until 6 months to fully mature the rumen; avoid early introduction of silage or low-quality hay.

3. Protein Matters 🥩

Rations under 14% protein often fall short when paired with hay below 20% protein, slowing growth and rumen function. Higher protein diets early post-weaning fuel lean tissue formation and immune health.

4. Coccidia Control 🦠

Coccidiosis is a common cause of diarrhea and reduced intake. Adding a feed-grade anticoccidial helps:

• Reduce scour events
• Support feed digestion
• Keep calves on track for growth

5. Housing & Group Management 🏠

Behavioral stress affects feed intake and immunity.

• Keep post-weaning groups stable; avoid mixing with unfamiliar calves
• Limit group sizes to ≤6 calves for better monitoring
• Provide ≥18 in bunks per calf at 2–4 months
• Ensure dry, well-bedded areas with secure footing

6. Feeding & Health Monitoring

• Track grain, forage, and water consumption daily
• Monitor fecal volume and consistency
• Check weight gain, body condition, and alertness
• Watch for respiratory or digestive issues
• Record disease events and interventions

7. Role of Ask A Vet 📱

Ask A Vet offers practical support for post‑weaning transition:

• Custom feed transition schedules and ration analysis
• Group management guidelines and bedding design tips
• Coccidia medication advice and inclusion rates
• Online monitoring tools and check-ins to track growth metrics
• Fast response for emerging health or intake alarms post-weaning

8. Success in 2025: Why It Matters

• Maximized lifetime growth: post‑weaning drives future height and production
• Cost efficiency: strong feed conversion reduces cost-per-pound gain
• Welfare benefits: better housing and reduced stress support health
• Uniform groups: lower culling, early disease detection, and better weight consistency
• Market readiness: quality stock with strong composition and health history

9. Tips for Long-Term Performance

• Evaluate feed intake before making group or ration changes
• Use regular weigh-in or girth tapes at 3, 4, and 6 months
• Perform forage and ration analysis annually
• Vet partnerships (like Ask A Vet) help refine herd-specific strategies

10. 2025 Key Take‑Home Messages

• Prevent the slump: separate major changes by timing
• Boost protein: use 16–20% starters for rumen development
• Coccidia control works: including medication stops scours fast
• Stable groups matter: ≤6 calves, wide bunks, dry stalls
• Monitor daily: intake, weight, health
• Ask A Vet assists: with feed, housing, growth tracking, and illness response

Conclusion

Post‑weaning is a pivotal time for dairy calves. By smoothing feed transitions, ensuring high protein, securing housing, and maintaining health monitoring—and tapping Ask A Vet when needed—you boost long-term growth, welfare, and profitability. Let’s build stronger calves and stronger herds in 2025 and beyond. 🐮❤️