31/03/2026
Stop weaning by the calendar.
Weaning too early or too abruptly, is one of the biggest reasons calves hit a growth check or get sick. The calf’s rumen doesn’t care how old it is; it cares about what the calf is eating.
So before you cut milk, ask yourself: Is this calf REALLY ready?
Here’s what we look for 👇
✅ Starter intake ≥ 1.5 kg/day for 3 days in a row
That’s the #1 sign. If they aren’t consistently eating that much, their rumen isn’t ready to take over.
✅ Weight at least double birth weight
A simple scale or heart-girth tape tells you a lot. A 40 kg calf should be 80+ kg before weaning.
✅ Healthy for 7+ days
No scours, no coughing, no runny noses. Weaning a sick calf almost guarantees a relapse.
✅ Chewing cud & drinking water
If you see cud-chewing, the rumen is functioning. Fresh, clean water drives starter intake, make sure it’s always there.
📅 Age?
For conventional programs, 8–10 weeks is typical. For accelerated (high-milk) programs, calves can wean as early as 6 weeks, but only if they hit the starter intake target. Age alone is NOT enough.
The takeaway:
Wean by readiness, not the calendar. Use a step-down schedule (reduce milk over 7–10 days), keep starter ad-lib, and watch them closely for two weeks after weaning.
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