The First Hours Matter Most
Calves are born without antibodies of their own, so colostrum is their only source of immune protection until their own immune system develops. A calf needs to consume roughly 10 percent of its body weight in quality colostrum within the first six hours of life, since the gut’s ability to absorb those antibodies drops sharply after that window closes. Waiting even a few extra hours can mean the difference between a healthy calf and one prone to scours or pneumonia.
Making Sure It Works
Watch every calf closely after birth to confirm it nurses successfully, and keep a bottle and colostrum replacer on hand in case a cow rejects her calf or produces poor quality colostrum. A simple refractometer can measure colostrum quality in seconds, helping you decide whether supplementation is needed. Good record keeping on which calves received adequate colostrum can help explain health issues later in life.
