What is rumen drinking?

Rumen drinking, also known as reticuloruminal milk accumulation, occurs when milk is directed into the rumen and reticulum instead of the abomasum in calves.

This condition can have a serious impact on calf health and may contribute to increased mortality in dairy and calf-rearing systems.

Feeding behaviour — including how quickly a calf drinks and the height it drinks from — can influence where milk is directed within the digestive system.

Signs of rumen drinking

Early identification is important, as affected calves can deteriorate quickly.

• Under-conditioned and dehydrated calves
• Depression or reduced activity
• Signs of pain (arched back or teeth grinding)
• Reduced appetite
• Recurrent bloating (tympany)
• Swelling of the lower abdomen
• Clay-like, grey, pasty faeces
• Hair loss and poor coordination
• Increased incidence of scours or pneumonia

Why rumen drinking occurs

When a calf suckles correctly, the oesophageal groove closes and directs milk to the abomasum. Rumen drinking occurs when this reflex fails.

Chronically affected calves often have a poor prognosis, which makes prevention critical for maintaining herd performance and profitability.

How to reduce the risk

1. Teat feeding

Feeding via a teat helps replicate natural suckling behaviour and supports proper closure of the oesophageal groove. Calves fed from open buckets may drink too quickly, increasing the risk of rumen drinking.

• Use teat feeders where possible
• Check teats regularly for cracks or damage
• Replace worn or damaged teats to prevent rapid intake

2. Correct feeding height

Feeding height plays an important role. Calves should drink in a natural position, similar to suckling from the dam.

3. Feed quantity and frequency

Feeding smaller amounts more frequently helps reduce the volume of milk entering the rumen and limits fermentation issues.

4. Colostrum management

Good colostrum management supports calf immunity and reduces the risk of disease. Poor-quality colostrum can affect calf health and reduce the suckling reflex, increasing the likelihood of rumen drinking.

5. Avoid repeated tubing

Tubing calves for colostrum shortly after birth is acceptable where needed, but repeated tubing to deliver milk should be avoided as it bypasses normal feeding behaviour.

Treatment

In acute cases, affected calves may be treated with electrolytes containing bicarbonate of soda. Milk feeding should then be reintroduced gradually using a teat.

Encouraging the suckling reflex — for example, allowing the calf to suckle a finger before feeding — can help improve feeding behaviour.

Always consult your vet for advice on treatment options, including the use of anti-inflammatories where appropriate.

How Herdwatch can help

Managing calf health effectively requires accurate records and consistent monitoring. Herdwatch helps simplify this process and keeps everything in one place.

Record treatments easily

Log veterinary treatments such as electrolyte supplementation or anti-inflammatory use directly in the app, ensuring accurate records and full traceability.

Set reminders and follow-ups

Use reminders to ensure follow-up treatments or health checks are not missed.

Monitor individual calves

Add notes to individual calf profiles to flag animals that need closer attention. This helps ensure all team members are aware of any issues and can respond quickly.

For example, notes can include monitoring feeding behaviour, checking for symptoms, and ensuring the correct feeding method is used.

Support better calf health

Rumen drinking can have serious consequences, but good feeding practices and early intervention can significantly reduce the risk.

By combining strong calf management with accurate record keeping, farmers can improve calf health, performance, and long-term productivity.