Many male dairy calves are sold and transported to grower facilities at a young age when they are vulnerable to health and welfare problems. Our aim was to describe the age, weight, and health of male dairy calves before long distance transport. Second, we evaluated whether these factors related to early morbidity and mortality at a grower facility. From October 2017 to March 2018, calves (n = 373) from 11 dairy farms in British Columbia were assessed by a veterinarian within 24 h before shipping. Health measures included calf attitude (based on depression, willingness to rise), respiratory and enteric health, navel and joint inflammation, and body temperature. Serum total protein was measured, taking a cut-off value of <5.2 g/dL as an indicator of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI). Chest girth circumference was used to estimate weight, and calf age was recorded. Calves were then transported for approximately 1,100 km to one of 2 calf growers and monitored for 2 weeks during which time disease treatments and mortality were recorded. Mixed logistic regression models, with dairy farm as a random effect and calf grower as a fixed effect, were used to assess calf condition measurements associated with treatment for diarrhea or pneumonia, or mortality. Before transport, some calves were experiencing pneumonia (2%), diarrhea (19%), fever (5%), navel disease (11%), or a depressed attitude (4%). FTPI was identified in 13% of calves and mean (±SD) age and chest girth were 4.6 (±2.6) days and 81.1 (±3.9) cm, respectively. In the first 2 weeks after arrival at the calf grower, 23% and 44% of calves were treated for diarrhea and pneumonia, respectively, and 4% died. Diarrhea treatment was negatively associated with chest girth (OR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.83–0.97; P = 0.004), and higher mortality was associated with calves that had a depressed attitude (OR: 13.2; 95% CI: 2.9–59.7; P < 0.001). These results suggest calves shipped at a light weight with depressed attitude are at increased risk for early morbidity and mortality after long distance transportation.