Using a colostrum replacer or supplement can be a very confusing matter to figure out. Now ideally every one of your new calves will get up and start nursing on their own. Unfortunately we don’t live in an ideal world.
There are some times that you will need to provide assistance to the new born to get them on the right foot. This can come in the form of providing a colostrum replacer. If you find yourself in that situation here are 6 tips that can help you get the most effective use out of it.
Tip #1: If needed, give a full dose
When it comes to bottle feeding a calf it is not a good idea to just “give them a little to hold them over”. When providing colostrum you need to feed the calf as much as you can. This will make sure that it receives the amount of antibodies it will need in order to survive.
If it is a situation where you are getting it from the momma cow then you should milk out as much as you can.
When you are using a replacer then mix up the amount that it has listed as a full dose. A full dose will provide 100-120 grams of antibodies which is the recommended amount.
Tip #2: Use Colostrum Replacer not Colostrum Supplement
Now there can be some confusion with this statement but it is pretty easy to understand. You should used the replacer in a situation where the dam is not able to provide colostrum to the calf. Where as a supplement should be used in the case where she is not able to provide enough.
Colostrum contains immunoglobins that are needed for the calf’s immune system to work properly. Research suggests that a calf should consume at least 100g of IgG within 4 hours of birth. Now how much does each supply you may ask?
Colostrum supplements typically contain 40-60g of IgG per dose. A replacer provides at least 100g per dose.
In order to tell the difference then all you will have to do is look at the label. The label on a replacer should state that it contains dried colostrum.
Tip #3: Bottle feeding is best
When providing a supplemental colostrum it is better to use a bottle instead of a stomach tube. The suckling motion that the calf is required to do for the bottle is better for it.
When the calf goes through the suckling process it fosters the rumen to close which will allow the liquid to pass straight on to the intestines. This will allow the nutrients to be better and faster absorbed by the calf.
Tip#4: Keep the momma in shape
Keeping cows in a BCS score of 5 or 6 before calving will result in fewer newborn problems in your herd. Cows in this condition will birth quicker as well as produce better colostrum.
The calf will also get up quicker and receive better antibody protection from the colostrum.
There have been several studies that have shown that when cows are in good body condition score they are less likely to have any calving difficulties. Speaking of calving difficulties…
Tip #5: Give special attention to calves that have been pulled
Hopefully you won’t have to but if you do pay extra special attention to them. The process of pulling a calf can cause some serious problems for the calf.
The stress of being pulled can cause acidosis and/or depressed brain function in the calf. This can prevent the calf from getting up or even not taking in any colostrum.
One way you can find out if the calf has a strong suckling ability is to put a finger in it’s mouth. If it starts sucking on your finger then everything should be fine and it will nurse on it’s own. If it doesn’t then you may have some problems that you will have to deal with.
Tip#6: Make sure you feed the right amount
Providing a colostrum supplement or replacer won’t do you much good if the calf is not getting the amount that it needs.
It is recommended that a calf should take in 5% to 6% of it’s body weight within first 6 hours of life. A second dose of another 5% to 6% should be consumed when the calf is 12 hours old, or another 6 hours after it is born.
To put it in laymen’s terms for a 80lb calf that will equal to about 2 quarts of colostrum per feeding.
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