Milk taxi for feeding calves: what is it, pros and cons, use

Content

1 What is a milk taxi
2 Advantages and disadvantages
3 How does a milk taxi for calves work?
4 Specifications
5 Features of operation
6 Conclusion

A milk taxi for feeding calves helps to prepare the mixture correctly so that the babies absorb vitamins and nutrients to the maximum. The equipment differs in the volume of the container designed for a certain amount of feed, as well as other technical characteristics.

What is a milk taxi

At the age of one month, calves on farms are weaned from the cow. Young animals are fed in reverse. Whole milk substitutes are often used for drinking. The mixture contains all the vitamin complex that babies need. Regardless of the composition, the product must be prepared in strict compliance with technology before drinking. If the mixture is not prepared correctly, all the beneficial substances contained in the composition will not be absorbed by the calves’ body.

The milk taxi was created to solve the problem. The equipment helps prepare a mixture for drinking from ingredients loaded into a container. The finished product meets the required parameters. The milk unit constantly maintains the temperature and consistency of the feed, and dispenses feed in doses. Additionally, the equipment makes it easier for farm workers to serve a large number of livestock.

Milk taxis are produced by different manufacturers.The operating principle of the equipment is the same, but the models differ in their parameters:

Any model of milk machine is equipped with a container where the mixture for drinking is prepared. Its volume is designed for a certain number of calves. The figure varies from 60 to 900 liters.
There are two differences in the method of transportation. The devices are moved by operators manually or by an electric drive.
Dairy equipment is produced with minimal functions or equipped with a computer automation unit. The second option is multifunctional. Automation is capable of preparing feed from whole milk substitute according to several recipes at once for young animals of different ages.
There are models equipped with a liquid feed pasteurizer. During its preparation, disinfection occurs.
Wheels provide ease of movement for the milk machine. There may be three or four of them, depending on the model. The first option is characterized by maneuverability. A milk unit with four wheels is more stable.
The materials used to make taxis are stainless steel or durable polymers.

In order for the equipment to cope with its responsibilities, the choice of model is carried out taking into account its basic parameters.

Watch the video for more information about the Milk Taxi:

Advantages and disadvantages

The technology of feeding young animals is popular in almost all countries. Dairy machines are in demand on large farms and in private households where cattle are kept individually. Today, a taxi has the following advantages:

The container of the milk unit is equipped with a mixer that mixes the ingredients without lumps. The liquid does not splash, it is brought to the desired consistency. The prepared mixture is completely absorbed by the calf’s body.
The presence of heating allows you to constantly keep the drinking mixture warm. The optimal temperature for better absorption is considered to be within 38^OWITH.
Dosed supply of the mixture helps to feed young animals of different ages in compliance with established standards.
The milk taxi has a simple design. The equipment is easy to wash after drinking, disinfect, and clean the working gun.
A convenient wheelbase makes the taxi maneuverable. The equipment is easy to deploy in a small area and transport around the barn.
Automation of the process simplifies the management of the device. If necessary, the operator can instantly change the dosage of the calf's feeding.

Advice! Models equipped with an electric drive have a big advantage. The taxi moves around the barn without any effort from the operator, while the unit creates a minimum of noise and does not frighten the animals.

The equipment provides farm automation. Farm productivity increases and labor costs for service personnel decrease. Calves grow faster and gain health. The downside is the initial cost of purchasing equipment, but it pays for itself in a couple of years.

How does a milk taxi for calves work?

Dairy units differ in parameters, but operate on the same principle:

The operator pours return water into the container. If a whole milk substitute is used, the dry mixture is loaded into the tank and water is added (the dosage is indicated in the instructions on the milk replacer package). After filling the container with ingredients, the tank is covered with a lid and secured with latches.
The parameters for preparing the mixture are set on the taxi control unit.
The mixer turns on. Simultaneously with stirring, the product is heated by heating elements to a temperature of 38 ^OC. Heating up to 40 is allowed ^OC. This indicator corresponds to the temperature of a cow's milk.
When the mixture is ready, the operator transports the equipment to the animal feeding area.
Feed is distributed through a gun connected by a hose to a milk container. The operator pours the mixture into individual feeders for the calves. Sensors in the milk machine control the delivery of the established drinking rate. It is a big plus if the taxi is equipped with an electric pump. The knot helps to distribute the mixture from the tank evenly to each calf.
At the end of the procedure, the remaining liquid food is drained from the tank through the tap. Taxis are thoroughly washed and prepared for the next distribution.

The main labor costs when working with a taxi is loading the container with ingredients. Then the operator just has to press the buttons on the control unit, wait for the result, and feed the young animals with the finished mixture.

Specifications

Each Milk Taxi model has individual parameters. However, the equipment is characterized by the presence of standard functions:

heating;
mixing the ingredients with a mixer;
feeding calves through a dispensing pistol.

Among the additional functions common to each model are:

automatic installation and maintenance of doses;
dispensing a given amount of liquid feed.

Dairy units of three series are common: “Economy”, “Standard”, “Premium”. Every taxi model has a heating function. The speed of the process depends on the volume of the milk tank. For example, 150 liters of feed will heat up from 10 ^OFrom to 40 ^OC in 90 minutes. For 200 liters of liquid food it will take 120 minutes.

If there is a pasteurizer, liquid feed for feeding calves is brought to a temperature of 63-64 ^OC. The duration of the process takes 30 minutes.After pasteurization, the milk mixture cools to a temperature of 30-40 ^OC in 45 minutes with a tank volume of 150 liters. Cooling time depends on the amount of feed. For example, the parameter for a 200 l capacity increases to 60 minutes.

The power of most taxi models is within 4.8 kW. The weight of equipment ready for feeding calves depends on the volume of the tank filled with feed. For example, a milk machine with a capacity of 200 liters weighs approximately 125 kg.

Features of operation

From the first days, calves consume colostrum. Young animals are transferred to reverse milk and whole milk substitute at one month of age. Feeding is carried out from special feeders equipped with teats for calves. This is where the mixture prepared in the taxi is poured.

At the end of the feeding, the remaining feed is drained from the barrel of the apparatus through the tap and the distribution hose is released. Water is poured into the tank at a temperature of 60 ^OC, add detergent. Taxis are put into recirculation mode. After stopping the process, the inside of the tank is additionally cleaned with a soft brush. The soap solution is drained. The tank is filled with clean water and the procedure is repeated. The final step in taxi service is cleaning the milk filter.

Conclusion

Milk taxis are beneficial for farmers to use for feeding calves. The equipment is guaranteed to pay for itself. The farmer makes a profit by increasing the productivity of his farm.