Calf-Feeding System

Calf-Feeding System DAIRY EQUIPMENT & IDEAS Dairy Equipment & Ideas 19-2-26 "Give your calves individual attention in a group environment. Save time. Raise healthier calves." You can do it all with the new Wydale calf feeding system, says designer Robin Wyatt, who raises about 100 calves per year on his English dairy farm. The new-style feeders are available in a 5-teat model and a 3-teat model. They're made of polyethylene and are fitted with galvanized mounting hooks. By moving them from pen to pen, one person using two 5-teat models can feed 70 calves in an hour, says Wyatt. Using the Wydale system, you group 3 to 10 similar age calves per pen. You hang the feeder on the pen gate in such a way that the teats are level with the calves' backs. "The head-up position and sucking action provided by the Wydale feeder encourages the release of saliva, which aids digestion," says Wyatt. "A typical calf can be weaned on 31 lbs. of milk replacer, as against 70 lbs. using the Ad Lib method." The cowling on the front of the plastic feeder is designed to protect each calf from its neighbor, and to ensure that even the slowest drinker gets his fair share. Dimensions of the 5-teat model feeder are 50 in. long, 13 in. deep and 20 in. wide. It weighs 21 lbs. and retails for about $157. The 3-teat model weighs 15 lbs. and is 31 in. long, 13 in. deep and 20 in. wide. It retails for about $107. Each teat compartment holds 5-1/4 pints of milk replacer. You only need to fill as many compartments as you have calves in the pen. A sick calf can be given medicated milk, and newly-purchased calves can be fed electrolite without a struggle, Wyatt points out. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Wydale Plastics Ltd., Cathole Bridge Road, Crewkerne, Somerset, England TA18 8RF.

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.