Automatic calf feeder: Review

Abstract

The automated calf feeders, created in 1980 in Germany, have been gaining more space recently. It is a device that automates the process of providing milk and starter enabling more precise control of individual consumption of liquid and solid food. It is aimed, with this literature review, to gather information to clarify the operation of this technology and discuss their advantages and limitations, besides to present the researches results about this subject, aiming to help the technicians and farmers in the process of decision about the adoption, or not, of the technology. It was concluded that automatic feeders have many advantages like: economy with labor, reduction of feed costs and reduction of weaning age with better body weight manutention, but it has some limitations that need to be observed like: ease of diseases transmission and the need of a building for calves stay in the five first days of their lives. It is also important to point out, that for the success of this implementation, is fundamental the analysis of collected system data, a careful cleaning of the buildings and a good observation of the calves.