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Feeding colostrum to calves
Author(s) -
White David
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inpract.9.4.131
Subject(s) - colostrum , white (mutation) , citation , white paper , library science , medicine , computer science , biology , political science , law , immunology , antibody , biochemistry , gene
Colostrum is essential for calves because they are born without any appreciable immunity. Unlike us, calves can only obtain immunity from colostrum. At birth the calf’s small intestine is referred to as “open.” This means that nutrients and possibly pathogens can be transferred from the gut to the bloodstream. Therefore, it is essential that calves be born in a clean environment and be fed colostrum as soon as possible after birth. Colostrum provides the immunoglobulins (antibodies) necessary for health and growth.