It is a critical period under which the animal undergoes the important physiological, metabolic and nutritional changes in its lactation.
Transition period of a dairy cow is from three weeks before calving to three weeks after calving therefore transition management practices help to improve animal performances thus ensuring high yields for income generation as well as food security.
Proper practices
Always provide sufficient spacing at feeding, resting practices to reduce stress. Also avail familiar housing places and avoid frequent changes of animal housing.
Additionally, provide separate calving pen and these should be maintained hygenically to avoid diseases. However animal housing should not be slippery and the floor must be maintained dry.
Furthermore, give calving assistance if required and after calving check if the animal is properly feeding, drinking and ruminating.
Ensure to keep the animal with the familiar group to avoid crowded, competitive environment as well as providing them with high density concentrates during early lactation to maintain the cow healthy and reduce negative energy balance.
When feeding, supplement feeds with micro nutrients to improve the animal health as well as monitoring animals on a routine basis.
Also, follow winter and summer animal management practices, provide a balanced ration and avoid sudden increase of concentrates. Lastly do not harm animal.
