Colustrum ? What to do?

[luvzmybabz]

My CAE positive doe is due anyday. I have heard that trying to pasturize colustrum is really hard and I am terriffied of making a mistake and passing to the babies I hope to save. I have a couple people local that I have asked but they are all out. What can I do I know the powdered stuff is considered JUNK. Any Ideas?

[fishhead]

Maybe try the heating process with some cow milk for practice until you get comfortable.

[jBlaze]

Wish you were closer, I have plenty in my freezer.
(not sure how much overnight shipping is?)
Would sheep colustrum work if you have any sheep breeders around?
I think someone posted a while ago about using the store stuff, I don't remember the reason, but kid was fine.
Good for you trying to prevent that crud! I saved kids from 3 does last year, used the frozen colustrum and them cows milk; they test negative.
Good luck!

[luvzmybabz]

Originally Posted by jBlaze

Wish you were closer, I have plenty in my freezer.
(not sure how much overnight shipping is?)
Would sheep colustrum work if you have any sheep breeders around?
I think someone posted a while ago about using the store stuff, I don't remember the reason, but kid was fine.
Good for you trying to prevent that crud! I saved kids from 3 does last year, used the frozen colustrum and them cows milk; they test negative.
Good luck!

Just saw your ad on For Sale wanted was wondering if it would ship with dry ice? Talked to the only sheep breeder I know they do not milk any extra out. I so want to save these babies to replace the 2 girls that are positive and this doe is bred to my red spotted buck that passed away. These girls are by themselves and I am trying to decide if I just want to retire them or put them down after this experience. I hope I can save these babies. I may end up buying some of the powdered stuff as a back up. I have some friends asking people they know and have posted on the local homesteading board.

[luvzmybabz]

Originally Posted by fishhead

Maybe try the heating process with some cow milk for practice until you get comfortable.

I had a goat person tell me that you have to pasturize it differently or it turns into a think glob. She said 115 for 1 hour. My fear is will this tempature kick the CAE. I have a pasturizer I was planning on selling and think I may fiddle with it a little bit to see if I can get it to keep it at 115 for the hour one of those times I hate an electric stove, things are so much easier to control with gas.

[AnnaS]

Colostrum is heat-treated to kill CAE at lower temps than pastuerization. It's 60C (140F) for 60 minutes NOT 115 F. 115F is not going to be adequate.

This is how I do it:
2 saucepans
glass pint jar
Thermos
3 digital food thermometers
metal spoon

2 saucepans full of water. In one saucepan, put a pint jar of colostrum & enough water to be even with the colostrum level in the jar. Put a thermometer in both pans of water and the other in the colostrum.

Heat until the colostrum is 140F. Fill the Thermos with 140F water to get the Thermos suface to the right temp, then pour out the water, pour in the colostrum, and close it up tight. Wrap the thermos up in a bunch of blankets or a featherbed.

An hour later, the colostrum should still be around 138F, with most pathogens killed but the IGgs okay.

Heating to 145F will cause loss of the IGgs and colostrum that is heated until it curdles or clumps is worthless.

Cow colostrum for a Johnnes-free herd is a good substitute and I've had good luck with cow colostrum from clean vaccinated herds.

[fishhead]

Originally Posted by AnnaS

Colostrum is heat-treated to kill CAE at lower temps than pastuerization. It's 60C (140F) for 60 minutes NOT 115 F. 115F is not going to be adequate.

Did you mean to say "higher"?

[AnnaS]

Originally Posted by fishhead

Did you mean to say "higher"?

Nope- heat treating for colostrum is 140 F, pasteurization is at 165F.