How Much Colostrum Should Be Fed?
This depends on the quality
of colostrum and the maturity of the foal’s intestines.
-Start
by offering 200ml every hour for the first 12 hrs of life
*(NOTE:
Offering 4mL/kg every hour would also be sufficient).
-Larger foals have larger stomachs and thus can be offered more (400mL/hr)
-If the foal will not suckle strongly from a bottle, a veterinarian should administer the colostrum via a
nasogastric tube.
-The foal should be kept on colostrum for several days (if supply is available).
According to the Manual of
Equine Neonatal Medicine (by John E. Madigan):
* Feed 1-1.5 Liters (32-48 oz) of good
quality colostrum*
1000 mL = 1 Liter
1000 (actually 946) mL = 1 quart
The National Colostrum Network was founded at the
University of
Minnesota-College of Veterinary Medicine.