Calf rearing - the advantages of using a teat

Calves benefit more from drinking milk from a teat than from a trough or bucket.

When calves drink from a teat they hold their heads back and their noses up, which is closer to the natural drinking position. It activates the oesophageal groove reflex which maximises the possibility for milk to enter the abomasum instead of the rumen.

Drinking from a teat means calves must actively suck, resulting in milk being absorbed slower, thus increasing the possibility of milk entering the abomasum. The calf also produces saliva and therefore sodium bicarbonate when sucking which helps with milk digestion.

Even if the milk temperature or concentration isn't completely right, things are less likely to go wrong when using a teat instead of a bucket or trough, thanks to the calf's posture and sucking behaviour.

Source: The advantages of a teat | News | Kalvolac