How to Use Calf Warmers

Calf warmers provide a warm and dry space for a newborn calf suffering from hypothermia. Hypothermia begins when the calf's core body temperature drops below the normal level of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Severe hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 94 degrees, and signs of life are difficult to detect at about 86 degrees. Calf warmers are small heated enclosures designed to dry the calf and raise its body temperature to normal.

Things You'll Need

• Calf
• Calf warmer
• Corrals or pens

Instructions

Monitor the Herd and Use a Calf Warmer

1. Monitor the cattle herd closely during calving time, especially during cold and wet weather. According to Montana State University, calf mortality from birth to weaning usually runs between three and seven percent, with the majority of those deaths occurring during the first 24 hours of the calf's life. To save those calves, the cattleman needs to find them and put them into a calf warmer.

   Pay particular attention to dystocia calves. Thecattlesite.com website explains that dystocia is a long birthing process. Dystocia calves often have suffered from low oxygen levels that hamper the body's ability to generate heat and stay warm. These calves need to have their temperatures raised for survival, in most cases.

2. Place distressed calves in a calf warmer. Calf warmers are small enclosures usually sized to hold one newborn calf in a dry and warm environment. Calves usually remain in the warmer until their body temperature returns to normal and they show signs of activity.

   There are several commercial models of calf warmers available. The better quality warmers include a heater, ventilation and thermostatic controls. Older models of calf warmers often didn't have ventilation, fans which led to high levels of humidity in the warmer. This often resulted in pneumonia.

   Prior to the development of calf warmers, cold calves were often warmed on the floor boards of trucks or in the farm or ranch house.

3. Feed the calf warm colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk from the cow after calving and offers additional immunity. The warm milk also warms the calf from the inside.

   Monitor calves that have been revived from severe hypothermia for other health problems. A study done by the University of Nevada at Reno found calves that recovered from hypothermia sometimes had a compromised immune systems and were more likely to develop scours,a serious form of calf diarrhea, or pneumonia.

References

• Montana State University
• The Cattle Site