Existing Ad Lib feeding systems have high establishment costs, are labour intensive and extravagant with milk.
The Wydale System:
Group calves of 3, 5, 6, 8 , 9 or 10 to a pen. Mix the required amount of milk for one pen.
Feeder(s) hang on the calf pen gate in such a way that the teats are level with the calves' backs. Pour in the milk and make sure each calf is sucking.
Mix more milk and move the feeder(s) to the next pen.
One man using two 5 Teat feeders can feed over 70 calves an hour.
Using this system a typical calf can be weaned on as little as 15 kgs of milk powder as opposed to 50 kgs on the Ad Lib method.
The cowling guides the calf to the teat and protects it from its neighbour ensuring slow drinkers get enough milk.
In addition, calves' herded in groups encourages earlier intake of solid food, whilst exercise helps digestion and gives freedom to find a draught free position. Calves are generally happier.
The wydale system is not only fast and efficient it also remains the best for animal welfare.
The troughs have compartments each holding 2 litres (3 1/2 pints) to the ridge along the back or 3 litres (5 1/4 pints) to the top of the weirs. You only need to fill up as many compartments as you have calves per pen. One sick calf can be given medicated milk/electrolytes if necessary and the rest plain milk. Colostrum can be fed to new born calves before they can stand; simply put the feeder on the floor and push to the calf's mouth. It is ideal for introducing the first feed to bought in calves from market - without the struggle!