The document provides a checklist for maintaining automated calf feeders. It emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and monitoring health status. The daily checklist includes cleaning milk hoses twice daily, keeping areas clean, and hanging hoses to dry. The weekly checklist includes calibrating the machine and doing a circuit cleaning. Every six months tasks include emptying and cleaning the hopper, setting up a maintenance plan, and checking bacteria counts. Maintaining a clean feeder through this checklist is important for managing bacteria levels and calf health.

1. A checklist forAutomated Calf Feeders
AsI consultmany farms that have calffeeders I find all toooften whenwe runshorton time we also run
short ondoing whatis necessary. I have suggested in the past that the automated calffeeders are a
wonderfulinvestment. We have learned how to feed calves in grouphousing.
The calf feeder feeds the calf whatwe believe is the correctdiet for the calf. However,many times I
find weforget a few steps in the process.Our 2 legged friends forget weneed to monitor and manage
ourcalves and CLEAN. Yes,did I say clean. all too many times I hear;” butthey said it cleaned in place.”
Well that is a correctstatement for the newermodels ofcalf feeders that are now offered. Butthey
also need to have a few steps completed every day. Many feeders still maintain some elbow grease to
help keep the units clean.Diagram #1. Whenlooking at buyinga feeder, look fora feeder that can
sanitize the nipple after every calf, a basin that rinses after every feeding andtemperature that reaches
140 whencleaning.
That being said, there are some recommendations I feel we need to advise producerson.When we
boughtourfeeder 9 years ago, I stumbled onhow to get everyone that helped feed calves to
understandwhat I expected. I made a checklist to help with this process. I have shared this check-list
with many calfraisers to help eliminate some of the stress in either start upor simply maintenance of
their machines. Diagram no#2
Youwill also need to monitor the health status before they are placedonto the calf feeder, finda
vaccinationprogram that worksforyour farm. Work with yourherd Veterinarian and have it visible for
reference.
The feeder will take outthe human error ofmeasuring water temperature and quantity ofthe water. If
feeding whole milk ormilk replacer the calffeeder will also measure this portion tomaintain
consistency.Being consistentas possible is the golden rule of thumb. Aswemove to that 2 legged
problem again, we advise to keep stockingdensity low. However,we try topushthe limits onthis and
then ask ourselves whywe have problems. Respiratory problems in calves also gets blamed on the
automated calf feeders. Keeping the nipple clean,hoses clean and calves that have potential
respiratory issues isolated from the other calves. I so well know that this is notalways practical. I often
remind producersthat even in hutcheswe will still see problems arise.
Ifwe cango backto the 5 ‘C of CalfRaising, we canfind that the automated calf feeder can doall that is
required exceptof Colostrummanagement task.
Colostrum: Cleanliness, Consistency,Calories, Comfort& Calm

2. CHECKLISTFORMAINTENANCEofFEEDERS
Daily
 Checkyour computerfeeder forany alarm calves.
 Make sureif using milk replacer, the hopperis full; if usingwaste milk, make sure yoursupply of
waste milk is adequate.
 Milk hoses are cleaned and washed2xdaily, if ball spongesare provided,make sure these stay
clean as well
Milk replacer hopper,wipe downarea
after youhave filled your hopper
Cupforcalibrating dryproducts,wipe
outafter every productyoucalibrate
after every productyoucalibrate
Hose forpasteurized milk, keep
either end fromtouchingthe floor
Keep auger free ofmoisture &build
up
Keep your mixing jarsclean, use appropriate
cleaning detergent and scrubbrusheshandy
Clean hoses daily, replace/exchange
daily. Throw away every week if
possible.
Keep doorsclean, wipe with
stainless steel cleaner. Doorsshould
remain shut(flycontrol)

3.  Hanghoses up todry
 Make sureelectrodes onmachine are free frommilk deposits.
 Rotate nipples daily, have an extra set for sanitation purposes.Replace nipples at least every 2
months.
 Make surehoses from machine goesto correctfeeders.
 Clean area aroundraceways
Weekly
 Calibrate yourmachine. Ifusing replacer, calibrate every tonbatch. Ifyouhave a self-calibrating
machine youwill not need to worryaboutthis step.
 Do circuitcleaning at least oncea week, daily wouldbe preferred.
o Circuitcleaning is dependent onpersonal performing this, takes upto 10 minutes to
perform.
Every 6 Months
 Empty and clean hopperof feeder.
 Set-up a maintenance plan with yourdealer
 Ifyou have a probiotic or yeast culture in yourmilk replacer, this will elevate your bacteria counts
 Monitor yourwater temperature in mixing jar.
 Make sureyour detergent is correctcleaner for coolwater washing. Machines donot hit that 160-
degree mark forpipeline detergent
 Do bacteria countfromoutof boiler andnipple (mayneed toSHOCKthe system if bacteria loads
are higher than 25,000 Remember…cleaner the better UNDER 10,000 isourgoal!
 Caulk aroundmilk replacer hopper soadded moisture does not get into milk replacer whencleaning
 .Ifthis checklist is done by multiple employees, a checklist shouldbe posted and everyone should
sign off!

Insummary, make surethat yourAutomatedCalf Feeder stays as clean as possible. Maintaining a clean
feeder will help with buildupof bacteria levels. Alwaysconsultwith yourdealer to maintain your
machine.
Minnie Ward
Calf and Heifer Specialist
Calf Star: mward@calfstar.com
507-259-6534