Why is it necessary to feed colostrum to a newborn calf?

It is important for animal keepers to know how important it is to feed colostrum to a newborn calf, what are its benefits and how and when it should be fed to newborn calves. To earn more profit from animal husbandry, along with proper care of cows and buffaloes, it is important for animal keepers to take proper care of the newborn calf as well, otherwise the animal keepers may have to suffer losses due to their death. Just like human babies, the immunity of newborn calves is also low. In such a situation, they need proper care, along with it, it is also very important to give them the mother’s first milk called colostrum (colostrum). Know the importance of feeding colostrum to a newborn calf in this article.

If they are not fed colostrum, their immunity will not develop, due to which there is a possibility of them falling sick frequently. Along with this, due to milk accumulation in the udder of the animal, they can also suffer from mastitis. Therefore, feed colostrum to the newborn.

What is colostrum?

After giving birth to a calf, the cow-buffalo gives thicker milk than normal for about a week. It is light yellow in colour. This is called colostrum or chika.

In English, it is called colostrum. After giving birth to a calf, this is the first liquid secreted from the mammary gland of the cow-buffalo, which is full of nutrition.

It contains 4-5 times more protein and 7-8 times more vitamin-A than normal milk.

Colostrum also contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and zinc in sufficient quantity.

Feeding it to calves immediately after birth increases their immunity and keeps them healthy.

Colours is the first and most important precious food given to calves, which is extremely nutritious for them.

It contains a lot of antibodies, which are necessary to prevent many diseases in calves. Feeding colostrum to newborn calves is considered important for their health.

But many livestock owners feel that it is too thick and the calves will not be able to digest it, so they do not feed them colostrum, which is not correct according to experts.

Benefits of feeding colostrum to newborn calves

– Colostrum is the primary source of antibodies and antibodies are found in sufficient quantity in it.

– Feeding colostrum reduces the risk of diarrhea and pneumonia in newborns.

– Colostrum is the main source of fat, protein, vitamins and minerals.

– Colostrum contains many hormones and growth factors, which are important for the growth and health of the calf.

-According to experts, feeding colostrum to the newborn may cause a little diarrhea, but it is good. This clears the digestive residue / dirty stool (muconium) from the intestines of the newborn calf / heifer.

When and how much colostrum should be given to calves?

The newborn should be fed colostrum as soon as possible within the first hour after birth. Because the intestines of the newborn calf have the ability to absorb large molecules of protein for 24 hours after its birth.

In the first 6 hours of birth, about 2.5 to 3 liters of colostrum or 10 percent of the calf’s weight should be fed.

Suppose the calf weighs 25 kg, then give it 2.5 kg of colostrum throughout the day, but do not feed more at once, it may cause diarrhea. Feed it in three times.

What to do if there is no colostrum?

If it is not possible to feed colostrum directly from the udders to the newborn calves due to any reason like the cow is sick, dies or the udder is injured, then the colostrum of another cow or buffalo should be fed. Take out the colostrum in a wide vessel and dip your fingers in it and put it in the calf’s mouth, then it will start drinking slowly.