A few years ago, I took on calf rearing on our farm. So I made some adjustments here and there like ventilation, feeding thicker milk powder, measuring colostrum quality, feeding more colostrum, especially the 1st time.

I was looking for a better and more convenient way of feeding. We fed outside in the duckling pens with the usual simple teat buckets or just straight from the bucket. We had room for 20 calves outside in the single-ling pens. But there were often problems with diarrhoea or tripe drinkers. Inside in the group pens of 5 or 6 calves, we just fed the milk from the trough. Not many complaints but not equal growth. I thought this could and should be different.

So I started searching on the internet, looking for something that would allow me to feed the calves quickly and hygienically, but also so that you could ‘see’ them all for a moment. With a drinking machine, things are different and it’s easier ‘because they will all manage’. We have had experience with this in the past as well.

So I came across Reineke Wennemars’ internet page, new self-designed 1 drinkers with only a teat that you pull through the bucket. No more hassle with valves, rings and other components when cleaning teat buckets. And also available in a group bar that holds 6. That sounded like something for me, so I phoned Reineke for more information and advice.

She explained that the teat gives the most the health effect because the calf gets the milk slowly and develops a lot of saliva when sucking. Saliva is important for proper digestion. A day later, I was sent 4 ECF1 Feeders and 1 ECF6 Feeder. Reineke said ‘try it first, see if it’s something for you to put calves on the new teat.’ But after just a few days it went super!

No more tripe drinkers, the calves are fitter and drink better. Also in the group the calves are doing very well, no difference in growth. Reineke kept in touch by occasionally calling or sending an app. I proudly send photos and videos of the calves doing so well.

Now each calf has its own ECF1 Feeder with a number equal to the number of the single pen. Each group pen has its own ECF6 Feeder. Twice a day I rinse the troughs clean after feeding. After each calf, I clean everything thoroughly for the next calf. No more hassle with valves, rings and other components. Quickly everything is clean and takes no extra time. Result: a happy calf and a happy farmer’s wife!