Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Calf Iron Deficiency Welfare

Iron deficiency anaemia in housed calves fed exclusively milk causes welfare harm and poor development.

Key Facts

Cow's milk is low in iron and calves depend on environmental exposure for adequate iron intake
Housed calves without access to soil, bedding or supplementary iron develop anaemia
Anaemia causes weakness, pale mucous membranes, reduced growth and increased disease susceptibility
Iron supplementation by injection or oral supplementation at birth and weaning prevents deficiency
Free access to hay or roughage provides dietary iron that prevents severe deficiency in housed calves

Welfare Considerations

Iron deficiency anaemia in calves causes preventable welfare harm through weakness, immunosuppression and poor development. Simple preventive measures including iron supplementation and bedding access are highly effective at low cost.

What You Can Do

Provide iron supplementation to housed calves without access to soil as standard preventive care
Ensure housed calves have access to roughage providing dietary iron
Monitor calves for signs of anaemia including pale mucous membranes and lethargy