THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOSTRUM TO NEWBORN GOAT KIDS

Newborn kids must have sufficient colostrum to get their bodies' digestive and immune systems up and running. But how much is enough?

In meat goats, newborns ideally should receive 10% to 15% of their body weight in fresh, creamy colostrum during their first twelve hours of life. Fifteen (15%) percent is ideal, but is seldom achieved in natural settings where dams nurse their kids.

A good rule-of-thumb is one to two ounces of colostrum for every pound of body weight during the kid's first twelve (12) hours of life. Of course, continue to feed colostrum-laden milk during the second twelve hours after birth, but recognize that the dam's milk will have a declining concentration of colostrum as the hours after kidding pass. This is normal. The first two to four hours after birth is the most critical time in which newborns require colostrum. The more time that passes before adequate colostrum is received, the higher the probability that the kid will not survive.

If the kid is weak at birth, feed him two ounces (60 cc's) of colostrum . . . the capacity of a weak kid syringe . . . and wait an hour to allow his body to digest it, then feed him another two ounces. Continue feeding small amounts at regular intervals, and adjust the timeframe to suit the size and breed of the kid. Colostrum is very thick and heavy; it doesn't take much to fill the kid's tiny stomach. Remember how a dam feeds her kids . . . in small amounts and frequently. Overfeeding the newborn can result in life-threatening diarrhea and/or floppy kid syndrome (overeating on milk). Note: Never use Immodium AD for diarrhea in kids. Use Pepto-Bismol instead. Immodium AD will slow the peristaltic action in the gut, causing serious health problems.

Dr. Kathy Bretzlaff, small ruminant instructor and resident goat specialist at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, has shared the following information on how to determine if enough colostrum has been received. The IGG test used by veterinarians on newborn foals can be used on goat kids immediately after birth to determine colostrum intake. However, this blood test is a screening tool only and can be used effectively on newborn goats only during the first 24 hours after kidding occurs. After that timeframe,proteins begin to break down inside the kid as digestion progresses, and other factors, including the beginnings of the development of the kid's own immune system, come into play.

Most meat-goat producers will find usage of this screening test both inconvenient and expensive, except in rare cases where costly animals are involved. Horse breeders, for example, use IGG testing on foals that are racing candidates.

With a little practice, goat breeders can learn to feel the kid's stomach and determine whether it is full or empty. Use common sense and the Rule of Thumb mentioned above, and you should do fine.

Goat Tip: Milk out any extra first milking colostrum and freeze it in ziplock bags. Label each four-ounce bag with current date and doe from which it came. Frozen colostrum comes in really handy when you least think that you might need it.

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. Acknowledgement must also be made that the articles were first published in GOAT RANCHER Magazine, for which Suzanne Gasparotto writes exclusively. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

[GoatCamp™] [Tennessee Meat Goats™] [Myotonic Goats] [TexMaster™ Goats] [Which Breed is Right for You?]
[Ranch History] [The Present & Future]
[Registry of Myotonics, Tennessee Meat Goats™ and TexMasters™]
[News & Events] [Health and Management Articles] [Links] [ChevonTalk Discussion List] [E-Mail] [Home]

All information and photos copyright © Onion Creek Ranch and may not be used without express written permission of Onion Creek Ranch. TENNESSEE MEAT GOAT ™ and TEXMASTER™ are Trademarks of Onion Creek Ranch . All artwork and graphics © DTP, Ink and Onion Creek Ranch.