Student Case Presentation
Spiking Colostrum Replacement Powder Directly into Maternal Colostrum II: Impacts on Behavior and Wellbeing of Neonatal Dairy Calves
| Date/Time: |
9/12/2024 10
|
| Presenter: |
Erika M Oosterheert |
| Veterinary School: |
MN |
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to describe calf behavior during and after colostrum feeding and its effects on calf wellbeing and appetite, with a specific focus on high osmolality solutions and large volumes of colostrum. Enrolled calves (n= 132) were randomly assigned to four different treatment groups: MC-60 (9.4% BW of maternal colostrum averaging 60g/L IgG); MC-90 (9.4% BW of maternal colostrum averaging 90g/L IgG); MC-60CR (10% BW maternal colostrum averaging 60g/L IgG supplemented with 233-289 grams of CR powder (total IgG content = 270-342 g IgG); MC-60-CRH2O (12.5% BW maternal colostrum averaging 60g/L IgG supplemented with 233-289 grams of CR powder reconstituted in water (total IgG content = 270-342 g IgG). Calf appetite at the next milk feeding was evaluated using the calf health scoring appetite score (0 - 3 scale, scores of 2 and 3 indicated refusal of milk at the following feeding). Of the 132 calves enrolled (33 per group), a convenience sample subset of calves were videotaped to evaluate behavior both during tubing and in the one hour post colostrum feeding. A trained observer evaluated the video using an ethogram to describe the behaviors during and in the one hour after colostrum feeding.
There is limited research investigating the welfare of calves fed larger volumes or higher concentrations of colostrum and how it affects calf wellbeing and appetite. Anecdotal reports suggest that larger quantities of colostrum resulted in reduction of calf appetite in the days following initial colostrum feeding. There is also a concern of osmotic diarrhea when colostrum replacement is spiked directly into maternal colostrum, rather than blending it with water, per manufacturer directions. Our hope is that through this study we are able to give evidence to determine the validity of these claims.
