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 one of seven regimens through day 45: nurse dam for 12 to 24h, dam's milk to 96h, milk replacer with all milk protein; low (≤45 mg/ml) immunoglobulin colostrum to 96h, then either colostrum, replacer with all milk, or soy protein; high (>60 mg/ml) immunoglobulin colostrum to 96h, then replacer all milk; replacer all milk protein from birth; or saleable milk from birth. Colostrum immunoglobulin 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 immunoglobulin gained weight from birth to day 4 while those fed low lost weight. Overall severity and duration of scours were less for calves fed colostrum with high compared to low immunoglobulin. Calves fed undiluted colostrum (5 to 45 days) had more severe scours longer than those fed milk replacer. Serum protein and immunoglobulin were higher for calves hand fed high immunoglobulin compared to low immunoglobulin colostrum or nursing at 12 to 24h and 4 days after birth. A positive relationship developed between serum protein and immunoglobulin at 12 to 24h, 4 and 11 days. Mortality was low for all calves receiving colostrum.