Probiotics?

[Hayman]

I have been reading a little about them lately, do any of you folks use them for your calves? Fastrack in particular? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

 

[Triangle Bar]

I use to give my calves the oral probiotic paste; but have not used any for many years now. I couldn't tell I was getting any good out of it or if it was just another expense. I suppose it would depend on the viral load the calves were exposed to during calving and beyond.

Welcome to Ranchers. What part of Colorado do you call home?

 

[Just Ranchin]

The science is sound on it, but how the hell do you know if it is working or not?

 

[Hayman]

Outside of Castle Rock

 

[Faster horses]

While I think probiotics have a place, I don't think they are necessary
to give EVERY calf. Nutrition is essential to good quality colostrum and
good colostrum provides immunity for the calf.

If you have to doctor a calf more than once, I sure
advise giving probiotic then. It puts the good bacteria back in the
gut. Over treatment of antibiotic kills that good bacteria and
can cause the calf to scour. Probiotics can prevent that from happening.

If you get a critter that bloats, I mean any age critter, when you finish doctoring it, be sure to give probiotic then.
Bloat upsets the rumen and probiotic supports good rumen health which is very important.

Hope this helps!

 

[gcreekrch]

Plain yogurt works well and is lots cheaper than the vet clinic. :wink:

We use it as FH said.

 

[little bow rancher]

While I think probiotics have a place, I don't think they are necessary
to give EVERY calf. Nutrition is essential to good quality colostrum and
good colostrum provides immunity for the calf.

If you have to doctor a calf more than once, I sure
advise giving probiotic then. It puts the good bacteria back in the
gut. Over treatment of antibiotic kills that good bacteria and
can cause the calf to scour. Probiotics can prevent that from happening.

If you get a critter that bloats, I mean any age critter, when you finish doctoring it, be sure to give probiotic then.
Bloat upsets the rumen and probiotic supports good rumen health which is very important.

Hope this helps!

good point FH

 

[Hayman]

Thanks, I appreciate your help.