Delivering free-choice water to calves in frigid temperatures is easier said than done. Simply feeding milk or milk replacer isn’t enough to optimize the growth needs of calves. The rumen needs a separate source of pure water to feed the fermentation process that promotes rumen development.
Provimi dairy calf research results created advice for bottle-feeding water in cold conditions based, notably feeding at least two quarts of water at least 15 to 20 minutes after milk feeding.
Source: Dairy Herd Management, March 8, 2022. Link.