Hi Everyone, Does anyone know what kind of replacement Colostrum on the market is best. I want to get some and keep on hand in case momma, can't give me any or enough of it. I am going to have my very first goat babies born in May here on my farm, I am so excited, I have been waiting for this (seems like forever). Thanks

-- Barb (vozarbi@sensible-net.com), December 22, 2001

Answers

I copied and pasted a formula I found on a list a long time ago. I personally have not used it, however, those that have claim it works. We always save some colestrum and freeze it in case of ER's. We also give our kids Immuno-G a colestrum based formula right after they are born but before they nurse. We give 1cc then and follow it up with 1cc 2x's a day for 3 days. Since we have used that the past 2 yrs we have not experienced the usual scours, etc porblems with our kids. We also found that the kids who received it vs those who hadn't were more healthier and resistant to problems. You can get Immuno-G from this website: www.springbriar.com Also, there are some other products too that are similiar that are available: ID-1 from Ron Keener, maybe Vicki will have the addy to get this, I know goatworld used to carry it. Hoeggers sells Goat Stress which is similiar.

Last May we moved 1,000 miles and then we purchased kids form 2 different herds to add to ours. Those kids didn't have Immuno-G and we found they were more suspitable to pnemonia, etc than ours which did.

Here is the colestrum formula, hope this helps.

'NEWBORN MILK FORMULA' 26 ounces milk (1 1/2 canned milk, scan 1/2 water) 1Tbsp. castor oil or cod liver oil 1Tbsp. glucose or sugar 1 beaten egg yolk For the first two days, 1 1/2 to 2 ounces at a time the first day allowing about two hours between feelings. In this formula goats milk is better then diluted canned milk. On the second day increase the feeding of the formula to 3 ounces at a time or 4 ounces for a larger kid. On the third day the formula can be made without the egg yolk and sugar, and oil can be reduced to 1 teaspoon in the 26 ounces of milk I hope this helps you

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 22, 2001.

Other than the Immuno G (Bernice's choice) or ID-1, which are both originally made to boost the immunity of day old calves, now used by the goat industry, NO powdered colostrum product has any live antibodies in them. They have the calories and fat the newborn needs, they have the laxative effect to clear the last of the intestine (meconium) of the black tarry poop, but they will not boost immunity. A much better bet is to visit a dairy goat farm in your area and purchase a gallon of it. Take it home and heat treat it, and freeze it in 22 ounce plastic soda bottles, use this and a small amount of your own colostrum on these kids, saving the rest in the deep freeze for the next kids. We keep a colostrum bank going all the time. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 22, 2001.

Every breeder I know raves about the immune boosters. ID gets five stars! I'm sure going to try it with this spring's kids.

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), December 22, 2001.

I've been wondering about the ID-1 (?) and other type products, where the colostrum used in them comes from? If it comes from goats, are they tested for CAE first, and is there any risk of CAE transmission through using these products? What do you think?

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), December 24, 2001.

It comes from cows, can't explain the science of it or why cow, but it is. Vicki tried to ask ID-1 about it but has yet to hear. i want to try asking Spring Briar but haven't ahd time, because our concern is Johnnes (sp).

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 24, 2001.

Is the ID-1 similar to the Goat Serum that Hoegger's Supply Co.has for sale? I've used that before but the shipping costs are outrageous.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), December 28, 2001.