THRIVER BY SKELLERUP
Helping animals grow, so farms can thrive.

Thriver is an innovative new range of animal rearing products by Skellerup, manufacturers of high quality rubberware since 1910.​

 

Developed from over 85 years’ experience in manufacturing rubberware, our Thriver range aims to revolutionise the animal rearing experience with products that have been expertly engineered and rigorously tested to ensure performance and comfort.

Thriver by Skellerup
Screw-In Calf Teat.

The Thriver Screw-In Calf Teat is designed to improve the feeding experience, providing calves of all ages with a secure, natural, and comfortable latch. Featuring a subtle concave shape in the cut region, which, together with our soft and strong rubber formulation, improves the cut’s leak resistance. Proudly 100% designed and manufactured in New Zealand, the Thriver Screw-In Calf Teat incorporates advanced features for effective feeding with a leak-resistant seal.

  • Leak-Resistant Design: Unique end geometry and valve structure prevent leaks for efficient milk delivery.
  • Dual-Material Valve: Engineered for a precise seal to prevent backflow, ensuring smooth milk flow.
  • Soft Yet Durable Rubber: Replicates the feel of a natural cow teat, offering comfort from day one and durability for long-term use.
  • Vanilla Scented: Infused vanilla scent encourages calves to latch on quickly, promoting quicker feeding adaptation.
  • Antibacterial Properties: Naturally antibacterial rubber material helps reduce cross-contamination, supporting healthier feeding.
  • New Zealand Made: Designed, manufactured, and assembled entirely in New Zealand, reflecting top-quality craftsmanship.
  • Reduced Choking Risk: Strategically directs milk flow to the top and bottom of the calf’s mouth, minimising the risk of choking and pneumonia.
Thriver by Skellerup
Pull-Through Calf Teat.

The Thriver Pull-Through Calf Teat incorporates advanced features for effective feeding, a leak-resistant seal, and compatibility across feeders. Made with the same durable, soft rubber and precision engineering as the trusted Thriver Screw-In Calf Teat, the Pull-Through Calf Teat ensures consistent, reliable performance.

  • Pull-Through Fit: Suitable for feeders with 20-21.5mm diameter holes, providing secure attachment and easy installation.
  • Flat Bottom: Enables lower feeder positioning
  • Chamfered Back Edge: Extra clearance allows compatibility with a wider range of feeder types.
  • Leak-Resistant Design: Unique end geometry and valve structure prevent leaks for efficient milk delivery.
  • Dual-Material Valve: Engineered for a precise seal to prevent backflow, ensuring smooth milk flow.
  • Soft Yet Durable Rubber: Replicates the feel of a natural cow teat, offering comfort from day one and durability for long-term use.
  • Vanilla Scented: Infused vanilla scent encourages calves to latch on quickly, promoting quicker feeding adaptation.
  • Antibacterial Properties: Naturally antibacterial rubber material helps reduce cross-contamination, supporting healthier feeding.
  • New Zealand Made: Designed, manufactured, and assembled entirely in New Zealand, reflecting top-quality craftsmanship.
  • Reduced Choking Risk: Strategically directs milk flow to the top and bottom of the calf’s mouth, minimising the risk of choking and pneumonia.
Resources.
Thriver Information
Information booklet
Download our information booklet to learn more about the innovative design and benefits of the Thriver Screw-In Calf Teat.
Download
Thriver where to buy
where to buy
Find your nearest retailer to purchase Thriver products.
Where to buy
Frequently asked questions.
Which feeders can each Calf Teat fit onto?

Thriver Screw-In Calf Teats fit all leading female threaded calf feeders and adapters, and Thriver Pull-Through Calf Teats are designed to fit in feeders with 20-21.5mm diameter holes.

Can the screw-in teat be used as a pull through?

Thriver Screw-In Calf Teats are not designed to be used with feeders/buckets that require a pull through calf teat. If you have a feeder that requires a pull through calf teat, we recommend our Thriver Pull-Through Calf Teat.

What is the recommended lifetime of a teat?

Our teats have been designed to maintain their quality for 170 feeds, or one season of one calf per teat feeding twice a day.

Why do they smell like vanilla?

We’ve included a vanilla scent as to the rubber formulation, (not a scented spray). Research indicates increased average daily weight gain especially during the pre-weaning period was associated with vanilla scent added to meal, so we’ve added it to the rubber formulation to help attract the calves an encourage them to latch on. Calves can smell up to 9km away, so you’ll notice the scent is subtle for that reason.

How should I clean the teats?

Our teats feature an extremely effective one-way valve which means they can be flushed with enough water in a feeder, we do not recommend attempting to remove the valve. The teat is compliant to 3A which includes chlorinated, caustic and acidic cleaning agents.

Where are the teats made?

Thriver Calf teats are 100% designed, manufactured, and assembled by Skellerup in New Zealand.

Why are the valve and retainer different colours?

Both the Screw-In Calf Teat and Pull-Through Calf Teat feature a dual-material valve to maximise performance. The duck bill (in lilac) is made from a soft material to ensure precise sealing and valve function, allowing the valve to seal effectively when the teat is squeezed. The retainer (light green colour) is crafted from a hard thermoplastic for durability and resistance to deformation.

Can they be used with Calf Feeder tubing?

Yes, both teats are designed for use with Skellerup RMC145 Calf feeding tube.

Will they leak?

We trialled various designs for the teat tip, including different geometries and larger concaves. We found that some designs resulted in slower milk flow and excessive leakage. The final design features a subtle concave shape in the cut region, which, together with our soft and strong rubber formulation improves the cut’s leak resistance.

Why do the Calf Teats have two cuts in the top instead of one?

Traditional teats often send milk directly down the throat, which can increase the risk of choking and even lead to respiratory issues like pneumonia. Our teat is designed with a top and bottom cut to guide milk toward the top and bottom of the calf’s mouth. This reduces side-squirting and improves comfort, allowing calves to feed safely and more effectively from day one.

Is the antibacterial agent applied as a spray?

Our unique rubber material has naturally occurring antibacterial resistance without any additives or spray. According to ISO 22196:2011 99.9% Anti-bacterial rubber compound. 
 
Infections can spread between calves when they share teats. The anti-bacterial component helps prevent this transmission as calves swap teats during feeding. 

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