Colostrum Facts for Calves

Almost no calves who are newly birthed survive without colostrum.

Colostrum is the first milk/antibodies that mother cows offer to their calves. Colostrum is extremely important for humans too.

Typically the intake of colostrum with calves from their mother cows is something you don’t have any part in or have to worry about. However, if you are to lose a cow during calving of her newborn then milk out as much colostrum/milk from her udder as possible and feed, through a bottle, to the calf immediately. Then freeze the rest for the same purpose. There is usually 10 times the amount of colostrum needed in the mother’s udder at birth.

The calf should consume at least 3 to 4 quarts of colostrum at birth and at least a gallon of colostrum within the first 24 hours of birth.

The calves gut is extremely susceptible to attack from pathogens without colostrum. Colostrum is full of the mother’s antibodies which protect the calf.

If needed, use this frozen colostrum for any other orphan calves AND orphans of other species as well.

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Nicholas Burtner
Nicholas is the Founder and Director for the School of Permaculture, where he leads the education programs and directs operations at both the farm and suburban demonstration sites for the school. Since 2012, Nicholas and his team have worked on a large and varied number of permaculture projects from farms and ranches, to suburban homesteads and public parks, to apartment complexes and college campuses. He has received his permaculture education and training, in person, from the co-originator of permaculture Bill Mollison in Melbourne, Australia. He also interned with world renown permaculturist Geoff Lawton at Zaytuna Farm and attended the Earthship Academy for natural and recycled building construction, under the tutelage of Michael Reynolds in Taos, New Mexico. Aside from permaculture, and ecologic-related activities, Nicholas is a devote follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, and a father. He is also a nidan and instructor at the Flowing Circle Aikido Center, a major proponent of peace. He believes that through the application of permaculture, people can find a more meaningful and purposeful existence.

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