Running the automatic feeder
71
If a feeding period is defined as rationed, the feed quantity to which the calf is entitled is spread
across multiple intervals.
The standard A and B feeding plans correspond to the 40FIT feeding concept. The standard
C
and
D
feeding plans correspond to the rationed feeding concept.
Note:
Contact your feed consultant to find out which feeding plan is best for your calves.
6.5.4.2 Interval feeding program
The feed quantity to which the calf is entitled each day is spread across multiple intervals.
(
interval feeding program
). Feed entitlements are saved from interval to interval and can be
consumed at any time once a
minimum saved amount
. Without a minimum saved amount,
the calves would consume feed portions that are too small. The feed portion is not released
until the minimum saved amount defined in the feeding plan has been reached. As a result,
the minimum saved amount lets you indirectly define the number of meals that a calf receives.
From 8 pm to midnight, a calf can consume the rest of the feed to which it is entitled, even if it
has not reach the minimum saved amount. By defining the maximum amount in the plan, you
ensure that a calf does not eat too much. You use the
maximum amount
in the feeding pro-
gram to define how much feed can consume at once. The interval feeding concept is tailored
to the needs of your calves. You can set up the feeding plan so that young calves are supplied
with several small portions, e.g., 1.5 liters of feed 4 times a day, at the beginning of the feeding
period. When the calves get older, you reduce the number of feeding times by increasing the
minimum saved amount to 1 feeding time per day. The increasing intervals between the feed-
ing times encourage the consumption of concentrate and roughage. At the same time, you
reduce the tendency toward cross-sucking. See the appendix for an example of an interval
program (see chapter
Basic principle of interval feeding, page
). After consuming its
maximum quantity, a calf is excluded from feed distribution for 2 hours, and saved feed quan-
tities are retained.
6.5.4.3 Preferred feeding
You can prefer certain calves for feed consumption. If a preferred calf enters a feeding station,
its feed is immediately dispensed. You can prefer calves based on the following criteria:
•
Calves that have triggered an
alarm
.
•
All calves up to a certain
feeding day
.
Summary of Contents for TAP5-CH2-25
Page 2: ......
Page 6: ...6 Table of contents ...
Page 102: ...102 Running the automatic feeder ...
Page 119: ...Appendix 119 9 Appendix 9 1 Feeding 9 1 1 Standard feeding plans 9 1 1 1 Group A ...
Page 120: ...120 Appendix 9 1 1 2 Group B 9 1 1 3 Group C ...
Page 121: ...Appendix 121 9 1 1 4 Group D ...
Page 122: ...122 Appendix 9 1 1 5 Template for individual feeding plan ...
Page 123: ...Appendix 123 9 1 2 Basic principle of interval feeding ...
