THE LIFE OF CALVES
A young bovine animal is normally called a calf until it is 6-8 months of age.
The rearing of calves varies from country to country, and according to the breed. For example, calves reared for beef production (picture 1) are kept with their mothers, suckle their mother's milk and are often raised outdoors. Dairy calves (picture 2), on the other hand, are separated from their mother soon after birth and are artificially fed so that the mother's milk can be used for food production.
Calves are very social animals and they need to interact with each other like children. Therefore, from the age of eight weeks, they must be kept in groups (picture 3). A calf attached to a chain will never be happy and healthy, and this is forbidden under EU rules. Calves also need enough space to exercise.
Soon after calves are born they are fed colostrum, which is a liquid containing all the vitamins and minerals needed to fight disease. Once they are finished with colostrum, calves move on to whole milk or a high-quality milk substitute, and finally on to solid food such as grass. When calves eat solid food, they also need fibre or roughage, such as hay, to help them digest.
Clean and fresh water is also essential for the calves to remain healthy.
You are now aware of how much care a calf demands. Try to put what you have learned into practice and be a good farmer when playing this game!
