• Colostrum is the first milk of the mother secreted immediately after the birth of a newborn. It is richer than milk in protein, fat, vitamin A and some minerals. It also contains antibodies, which provide passive immune protection to the calf from many diseases.
• Colostrum also has laxative properties, which help in expelling muconium, which ensures potent enteric passage. Achieving early and adequate intake of colostrum, therefore, is the single most important factor in determining calf health and survival during the first 2-3 months of age.
• The calves should be fed colostrum as early as possible and positively within 30 min of birth. Colostrum feeding should be continued up to 4 days of age at the rate of 3 to 4 liter per day. Where the dam’s colostrums is not available, two eggs and 30 ml of castor oil should be fed orally and serum of the dam should be administered intravenously for 2-3 days for increasing immunity of calves.
• Alternatively, colostrums from other animals can be fed to the newborn calves. Colostrum can be preserved in deep freeze for several months for future use.

 contributed by S.S Paul and Sunesh