Posted 5.6.23
A new Milk Bar ‘slow-feed’ teat system is now available for calves reared in hutches, thanks to the introduction of the new Milk Bar Calf Buddy system which enables Milk Bar teats to be fitted into hutch buckets.
The new Calf Buddy system is the result of a collaboration between Milk Bar and hutch bucket specialist Hiko. It consists of a new design Calf Buddy teat which is attached onto a new (pink) connector. This fits into the 38mm hole of any Hiko bucket or standard hutch bucket.
Milk Bar teats are designed so that calves have to suckle for their milk. They thus consume it more slowly. This slower and more controlled feeding results in increased saliva production and better digestion of lactose. It also reduces the risk of nutritional scours which can arise when calves gulp milk down too fast.
The advent of the Calf Buddy system will be of especial value for hutch systems where calves are reared in pairs. The slower feeding on Milk Bar teats results in their instinct to suckle being met, so they do not need to cross-suckle after feeding.
Cross-suckling is detrimental to calf health. It increases the risk of navel infections, and of the keratin plug in udder teat canals being removed which can lead to mastitis issues in later life.
