Methods of feeding colostrum and their effect on the passive immunity

Abstract

Passive transport of colostral immunoglobulins is essential for calves to maintain optimal health. There are many factors that influence the absorption of immunoglobulins such as colostrum density, timing of ingestion, volume of colostrum but also the method of feeding. This study compares two manners of feeding calves – the esophageal tube feeder (n = 97) and the nipple bottle (n = 97), and their effect on the number of all absorbed immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE). It was statistically proven that absorption of immunoglobulins is better with the nipple bottle (P < 0.0001). The feeding of calves through a nipple bottle is more beneficial because the content of total protein is the higher than by the feeding through an esophageal tube feeder.