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Checklist To Minimise Risk Of Pneumonia

18 October 2017

 

Picture from Nadis

  • Have a separate airspace/shed for each age group of growing cattle.
  • Never mix older “tailend” cattle (who are likely to have suffered from pneumonia themselves) in the same shed as high risk animals.
  • Provide autumn born suckled calves with a separate well bedded creep area with excellent ventilation. If possible also give them access to outdoors, where they will probably spend most of their time.
  • Maximise ventilation. The negative effect of draughts is very exaggerated, particularly where calves have a dry lie.  Given a choice no animal will lie in a draught, unless it is too hot.
  • Bed well when stock are first housed. One bale in the autumn is worth 4 in the spring.  Keep the bed as dry as possible to minimise levels of relative humidity in the building.
  • In shed with feed passages scrape regularly, ideally at least daily to minimise standing liquids.
  • Consider initially using straw based rations rather than silage to minimise moisture in the shed.
  • Consider vaccinating prior to housing.
  • Worm calves for both stomach and lungworm several weeks prior to housing/weaning.
  • Clip the back of calves to help them control body temperature.
  • Ensure high quality feed and clean drinking water is easily available.

Basil Lowman, basil.lowman@sac.co.uk

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