Colostrum - feeding the calf is very important
The newborn calf begins to breathe immediately after the umbilical cord breaks. Mucus around the nostrils should be cleaned using a dry clean cloth. Do not press too much on the calf’s chest or lift it by the rear legs since this will do more harm than good. Immediately after birth, the navel cord should be dipped with iodine solution. The cow should be allowed to lick the calf after delivery. If the cow does not lick the calf, the calf should be dried with clean dry cloth. This practice not only dries the calf but stimulates its blood circulation. Generally, dairy calves are removed from their dam immediately after the dam has licked the calf clean within an hour. Colostrum is secreted by the mammary gland shortly before and after calving. True Colostrum is normally available only from the first milking. After the first milking and for the next two and a half days, the mother’s milk is called transition milk.