Well this was a first for us last autumn with 36 calves in the shed, we were just about to let the next 7 out from the training pen into the big mob when one poop changed everything! One calf, one spurt of scours, one horrible smell ... not normal was the thought. The calf presented healthy, drinking ok and was bright eyed - but its poop told a different story to what was happening it its gut at that time. I quickly re isolated the set of calves and grabbed a sample to test - rotovirus positive faint but there. Rotogen powder was what was recommended so we dosed the ones that had been together - but like flies they dropped, the first 3 then 5 ... tube feeding electrolytes and milk, checking all the time, the worst part is just thinking ok they wont make it through the night the dread of walking into the shed irst thing - but they all did make it. I ended up going through and drenching all the mob with rotogen powder even if they were not unwell as a preventative - the best thing I could have done!! I did everything in my power to try and mitigate spread twice a day doing what I could - picking up as much poopchip (wood chip with poop on it) as I could through the pen, sprayed vircon twice a day ramped up hygene at the milk stalls and generally spend as much time as i could monitoring and cleaning. Tube feeling electrolytes and milk alternatively - and electrolytes ad lib in the water for others - which causes a few extra problems with bloating as I discovered. ... so check your brand and use some are better than others! Many times I sat and cried on the step because I was so overwhelmed and tired but then my absolute stubborn drive to do right by each and every calf kicks in! I am so grateful for the support of experts who showed me how to tube feed and drench some NZ kiwi outside the box thinking and the ability to just be there meant I did not lose a single calf! I have one calf who is still smaller but he will get there. All others fully recovered and living thier best life on a Bull farm.

Any one else had this happen - poor fella. Lucky I have a spare for his feeding stall and lots of betadine for the healing and stopping flies..

We are raising 40 Jersey Bulls this autumn. 25 in the shed. So far all going well with the new automatic Holm & Laue feeding machine. Its an old second hand one so its the first season with it. A bit of a quick learning curve!!

Let's get to know each other! Comment below sharing where you are in the world, a funny experience you have had with calf rearing, what you would like to learn from being in this community. 😊 I hope you join me in sharing your stories of calf rearing and learning together to ensure our animals are as healthy and happy as they can be! I am looking forward to getting to know you, and I hope you enjoy learning together and get a lot from being part of this community. I will be adding learning modules as we grow. Thank you!