Had horrendous problems last year with scour, pneumonia and navels. Changed a few things and had a lot easier time this year. Principle change was to get rid of an automatic feeder and go back to basics. This is what we do and a hell of a lot less work than last year.
Isolation pens for the baby calves until they're drinking well. Got them second hand, not dear. We put a sheet of perspex over them and on a cold night or with a sick calf put straw on top and the holes at the front. Calves taken away from the cow the next milking after calving.
The feeder feeds 12 calves so calves are penned that way and stay in those, feed the youngest group first.
Milk heated to 40 degrees at mixing, vet said this is especially important when using powder, if not mixed at the right temp caused stomach upsets. Temp at feedout less important especially with older calves.
We feed them whole milk for the first few weeks at least.
Use alymicin spray on the navels, the iodine causes them to dry and crack letting in bacteria. Watch them for soreness or swelling and hit them with an antibiotic quick.
Have a drinking bowl in each pen, one that they push with their noses, water is as important as milk.
3 litres twice a day, we switched to once a day and powder after 5 weeks.
Meal in the pens from early on and build up, fresh straw daily.
If you have a second shed to switch to half way through it's a big help as it avoids fresh calves sharing the same air as much older ones. Keeps the density down too.
Powerwash everything before starting and spray with Sorgene5. Spray the individual pens after each calf leaves. Knapsack lives in the calf shed. Find it handier and cleaner than lime.
Eliminate all draughts.
I don't understand how putting grass in rolls makes any difference.