Watch: how to stomach-tube a calf

Colostrum consumed within the first six hours of life is crucial for a calf to ingest vital antibodies to develop immunity to disease. If you suspect a newborn calf has not made any attempt to suckle within the first three to four hours of life, intervention may be required.

Some farmers will secure a cow in a handling unit and train the calf to suck while others will feed the calf with a bottle and teat.

However, on some farms time pressure may make these options unfeasible and stomach tubing is the quickest approach. No matter what the option, always think safety first.

To start off, separate the cow from the newborn.

Just after calving a cow can be very defensive of her young. Carrying out harmless routine checks on a newborn calf can look very different in a cow’s eyes and that is why separation is so important to avoid attacks.

Once you have established that the calf has not sucked (teats not cleaned/slack) it is time to milk the cow.

A properly functioning calving gate is invaluable in this situation but a nearby cattle crush is also ideal – never attempt to milk an unrestrained cow.

It is also important to clean teats before milking with warm water. You should aim to feed a calf 8% of its bodyweight.

There are two main utensils suitable for feeding calves. The first type of utensil is called a bottle feeding tube. It consists of three parts – a 3l capacity bottle connected to either a teat lid or a lid with a stomach tube attachment.

The teat on this bottle can be used in an effort to try and let the calf suck first. Alternatively, if the calf does not suck the teat the option is still available to use the tube.

The second one involves a bag attached to a feeding tube.

There is a shut-off valve on the tube to prevent milk flowing until the head of the tube is safely inserted in the oesophagus.

Veterinary practitioner Donal Lynch from Tullamore, Co Offaly, says he prefers using the bottle feeding tube because one person can operate it easily.

He says the plastic bag feeding option is more difficult to operate because usually two people are required to use it.

For the purpose of this article we show both utensil options for feeding. Using the bottle feeding tube, stand with the calf’s head between your legs.

Stretch his neck upwards and open his mouth. At the same time, hold the tube bent so no milk can enter it before the tube enters the mouth.

Pass the bent tube gently down the centre of the calf’s mouth over the tongue. As it gets to the back of the mouth it should slide easily down as he swallows it.

Often the calf may struggle a little because he will find the inserted tube uncomfortable. However, after a few moments the initial shock should pass and he should sit calmly again.

Down the left hand side of the neck you should be able to feel the end of the tube (see picture above).

Donal says once you can feel the end of the tube in this position you know it is in the correct place. “The oesophagus pipe is like a lay flat water pipe to the stomach whereas the trachea (windpipe) is like a slurry tank pipe, so if we put the tube down the wrong pipe we wouldn’t be able to feel it,” explained Donal.

When you are 100% sure it is correctly positioned, lift the bottle and straighten the tube to allow the colostrum to flow into the calf’s stomach. When you are finished, shut off the flow and remove the tube slowly again from the calf’s mouth.

The bag feeding tube usually requires two people to operate. Again, place the calf between your legs, take hold of the calf’s head and extend the neck.

Pass the tube through the centre of its mouth and down the neck slowly. The arch in the tube should point downwards.

Once you feel the top of the tube in the base of the neck you can go ahead and open the valve to allow the colostrum to drain into the stomach. When you have given the calf enough colostrum, close the valve and remove the tube.

One person is usually needed to hold the bag and another person controls the tube. Some farmers tie the bag to a gate but this can be difficult to manage at times.

Note: Hygiene is very important when using stomach tubes. Always wash the utensils carefully before and after use to prevent inadvertently bringing young calves in contact with disease.