Water is the most essential nutrient for all animals, and makes up about 70% of a preweaned calf’s body weight.
In addition to the water they consume in their milk or milk replacer rations, calves need supplemental water to accelerate their digestive development and support excellent growth. Drinking more water has also been research-proven to encourage more starter grain intake.
The late Sam Leadley, longtime calf and heifer management specialist from Attica, N.Y., explained that this “free” water fuels the fermentation process of starter grain in the developing rumen. Rumen bacteria need water to survive, so lack of water slows fermentation.
The growth of the rumen lining and development of nutrient-absorbing rumen papillae depends on the products of fermentation. In short, water is critical to building robust rumens, which are vital to lifetime animal performance.
So, what’s the best way to feed water? Key elements include:
- Warm is the best form – Leadley noted regardless of the temperature at which it is fed, water will be at the same temperature as the calf’s body within an hour after it is consumed. But especially in cold weather, that internal warming process robs calves of precious energy and can suppress growth rates.
A South Dakota State University study also showed feeding calves cold water shocks the rumen environment, which can disrupt fermentation. Delivering water to calves at body temperature, 100°F to 105°F, is easiest on the calf’s system and also might be more palatable to calves.
- Bottle it up – A study at the Provimi North America Inc. Nurture Research Center compared the consumption of water by calves from a bucket versus a nipple bottle over the first eight weeks of life. One group was offered a 3-qt. bottle of hot water daily at midday. The other group was offered free-choice water from a pail at ambient temperature.
The bottle-fed calves consumed an average of 1.4 qt. of water per day, compared to 0.2 qt. for the pail-fed group. At the end of 56 days, the calves receiving water from a bottle also consumed 10 lb. per head more starter grain.
- Timing matters – The Provimi researchers advise waiting to offer water at least 15 to 20 minutes after regular feedings to ensure the esophageal groove has closed and water enters the rumen instead of the stomach.
Calves that receive water are able to convert dry feed more efficiently. Two quarts of water should promote about 1 lb. of grain intake. Leadley noted as calves grow, about two-thirds of every pound they gain is water.
