Milkbar 6 Teat Calf Feeder

The MilkBar 6 teat calf feeder has a new shape which makes it easy for carrying, lifting, transporting and installing. The new shape makes the Milk Bar easier to train new born calves. Featuring award winning Ezi Lock Hooks, the MilkBar can be hung on any rail size from wire up to 75mm and locked into place.

Best Results for Your Calves

Its 36 litre capacity can feed 6 calves comfortably and it aids with natural digestion. When a calf drinks from a cow, it drinks slowly with its neck stretched out and produces a lot of saliva. This action closes the oesophageal groove so the milk bypass’s the rumen and enters the abomasum. When milk enters the abomasum, rennin and other enzymes curd the milk. The whey is squeezed from the abomasum and into the intestine for digestion. Milk curd is broken down by enzymes in the abomasum, before also passing into the intestine for absorption. Saliva is produced by suckling slowly and this balances the pH in the abomasum to help curd the milk. Saliva contains essential enzymes like lipase, for fat digestion. Saliva contains natural antibiotic properties, the first and main defence against infection.  The Milkbar feeder and teat ensures the calf produces the right amount of saliva is produced when suckling. If the calf doesn’t produce enough saliva when drinking it will suck on ears, navels and udders to try and make the saliva it should have produced while drinking. Calves fed on Milk Bar Teats adopt the same drinking position as on a cow and produce lots of saliva.

Timing is important when feeding calves as they are designed to drink slowly. Milkbar have found that for best results calves need to drink at 150 seconds (2mins 30) per litre. This means that 3L should take 7 and a half minutes. If you feed faster than 150 secs per litre calves will start to cross suck. When a calf is fed too fast, it may not produce the saliva it needs for proper digestion.

Milkbar Tips

When choosing your Milkbar calf feeders, bear in mind who will be feeding the calves. Sometimes a smaller feeder is best. Make sure your Milkbar teats are no higher than 60cm. Clean your teats at least twice a week with an alkali detergent. Watch your calves for any signs of infectious scours. Calves absorb more IgG when fed colostrum from a bottle than when tubed.