2 bottles (1/2 litre) for approx. $75
It is always best for a Vet to tube it down into
the foals stomach but if no Vet, then using a Lamb's nipple, give orally.
As always, needs to be given in those first
crucial 12 hours after birth.
Can be kept frozen for 1 to 2 years.
Thaw the same as Colostrum at room temperature
or in cold water, not warm water, NO microwave. Do not refreeze.
At all times have a Vet give you precise
Instructions. This is a must!!!
(3) Many people out there are still feeding
orphans straight cows milk or household milk, etc. without realizing that
most Vet Clinics and many Livestock Product stores, carry not only calf but
FOAL milk replacer. Once again, this powder (due to the
high fat content) should be kept in the freezer to prevent spoilage. Will
last a year if container is kept tightly closed and frozen. It contains
antibiotics to prevent Intestinal Upsets such as Diarrhea.
(4) You should know when milking a mare with a
healthy foal to save Colostrum for future need: That it is far safer
if you keep the foal between yourself and the mare, positioned as if it is
nursing. A normal mare will never kick at or even fidget much if she thinks
that is her baby nursing.
(5) You need to know that a Lamb's nipple is far
preferable to a Calf nipple??? Especially since many orphans may be or soon
will be weakened at birth. They simply cannot suck the bigger, heavier
rubber calf nipple as easy as the smaller, softer Lamb's nipple. Once an
orphan is older, you can switch to a bucket.
Too many foals are starving and/or dying because
the owner tries and tries but the foal isn't able to drain the bottle with
some calf nipples. Or it quits trying before it gets the necessary
amount of milk replacer. I usually hear that it was to weak to nurse and
died? Or worse they enlarge the hole to much and the foal ends up with milk
in it's lungs and gets Pneumonia. Lambs nipples fit easily onto ordinary
pop bottles. Feedings at first must be every -2 hours maximum, in fact less
than every 2 hours!!! Yes, you will be tired and your friends and family
who are helping you will be tired but the reward of a healthy baby is worth
it!!!
(5) Cows Colostrum is not sufficient. Sure,
it maybe can't hurt but it is NON viable in the antibodies department. It
will not save the foal.
(6) A lot of mares will not happily take a
strange foal after the loss of their own. They are guided by Maternal
Instinct and have instantly bonded with their own foals smell at
birth. For those that won't, restraints and careful supervision are a must
to protect the foal from being seriously injured. Vicks Vapor Rub smeared
inside the mares nostrils works wonders in such situations.
In extreme cases, if you have
access to the mares own maximum 4 day long, dead foal, carefully skinning
it (must include tail and anus), tying the skin on the orphan foal
works. (Looks just like an ordinary horse blanket on the foal) I have never
had a mare, no matter how agitated refuse the orphan then. In fact
basically immediately she wants it as the mare is so happy that her dead
foal is now up and nursing her. Skin can be discarded in 1 to 2 days. Until
fully bonded, close supervision is a must!!!
NOTE: This requires a
knowledgeable horse/country person, who knows how to do it correctly.