ID 1130474150791795 Colostrum Storage Bags | CalfPens
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Colostrum Storage Bags

colostrum storage bags
  • Large 40mm spout opening for easy filling and cleaning

  • 4 litre capacity and large surface area for quicker thawing.

  • Made from 160 micron plastic so bags are strong enough to be reused.

  • Integrated handle makes it easier to hold bag when feeding.

  • 1 Oesophageal feeding tube included with every 20 bags

  • 1 Teat feeding tube included with every 20 bags.

20 X 4 litre reusable bags

1 X Oesophageal Feeding Tube

1 X Teat Feeding Tube

€85 including delivery

Unlike whole milk, colostrum contains many important substances for calf health such as immunoglobulins (antibodies), energy, cytokines, growth factors, and increased levels of vitamins and minerals. In addition, colostrum has a higher fat and protein content than whole milk.

colostrum milking

The first feed of colostrum should be at least three litres (approx. 8.5% of birth bodyweight) and should be fed within the first two hours of birth. This provides the calf with immunity to disease before pathogenic organisms can become established in the calf’s gut.

The ability of the calf to absorb IgG is highest immediately after birth and this absorptive ability completely ceases 24 hours after birth. Therefore, the earlier a calf is fed after birth, the greater the level of IgG absorption.

colostrum absorption
colostrum survival rate

It is good management to always have a backup of frozen quality colostrum available for calves whose mothers may not be able to provide adequate quantity or quality colostrum. Colostrum can be stored frozen for up to a year with no significant loss in Ig.

Our 4 litre colostrum storage bags are made from 160micron plastic and can be reused. They have a 40mm mouth for easy filling and can attach a teat or stomach tube directly onto the bag.

Research carried out at Oaklahoma University demonstrates the importance of getting colostrum into calves quickly and the risk posed by accidental ingestion of dangerous pathogens from contaminated faeces on the mother’s udder or bedding before the calf has consumed colostrum.

10 Holstein bull calves obtained at birth before nursing their dams were allotted to 3 different treatments.

1) 4 calves were administered E-Coli bacteria suspended in 1 litre of sterile saline via stomach tube at 2-6 hours after birth.

2) 2 calves were administered 1 litre of colostrum containing E-Coli at 2-6 hours after birth.

3) 2 calves received 1 litre of colostrum 2-6 hours after birth and 1 hour later were administered saline containing E-Coli.

Each calf was fed 1 litre of reconstituted whole milk 12 h after dosage with E. coli. Two calves handled in a similar manner but not exposed to E. coli served as negative controls for comparison of ultrastructural anatomy.

Twenty-four hours after exposure to E. coli, calves were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and samples from blood, liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes draining jejunal and ileal regions of the small intestines were collected.

feeding protocols
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