Development of an Esophageal Tube Feeder for use in Calves

Abstract

Disease and mortality in neonatal calves are often the consequences of insufficient passive immunization due to inadequate colostrum management. Disease prevalence and mortality can be reduced if colostrum is administered by an esophageal tube feeder a few hours after calving.
 The Danish Agricultural Advisory Centre recommends that calves expected to have insufficient colostrum intake, be fed a sufficient volume of high quality colostrum by esophageal tube feeder.
 To improve efficiency of esophageal tube feeding and increase calf welfare and performance, an interdisciplinary project was initiated aimed at development of a user-friendly, hygienic esophageal tube feeder for use in calves.