Influence of Neonatal Colostrum Administration, Immunoglobulin, and Continued Feeding of Colostrum on Calf Gain, Health, and Serum Protein

Abstract

Holstein calves (159) were assigned alternately to 1 of 7 regimens through day 45: nurse dam for 12-24 h, dam''s milk to 96 h, milk replacer with all milk protein; low (.ltoreq. 45 mg/ml) Ig colostrum to 96 h, then either colostrum, replacer with all milk, or soy protein; high (> 60 mg/ml) Ig colostrum to 96 h, then replacer all milk; replacer all milk protein from birth; or saleable milk from birth. Colostrum Ig was estimated by colostrometer and colostrum was frozen. Starter and water were offered free choice on day 5. Calves deprived of colostrum gained poorly and suffered severe and long scour episodes and high mortality. No differences of body weight gains were observed between calves that nursed compared with those hand fed. Calves fed colostrum with high Ig gained weight from birth to day 4; those fed low Ig lost weight. Overall severity and duration of scours were less for calves fed colostrum with high compared to low Ig. Calves fed undiluted colostrum (5-45 days) had more severe scours longer than those fed milk replacer. Serum protein and Ig were higher for calves hand fed high I compared to low Ig colostrum or nursing at 12-24 h and 4 days after birth. A positive relationship developed between serum protein and Ig at 12-24 h, 4 and 11 days. Mortality was low for all calves receiving colostrum.