Colostrum is the first milk produced by the dam which contains antibodies (immunoglobulins) which provide crias with immunity (passive immunity). There is no transfer of immunoglobulins across the placenta and neonatal crias are not capable of producing their own antibodies. They must rely on their passive immunity for the first few weeks of life. This makes colostrum essential to the health of any cria. A cria who does not receive enough antibodies from the colostrum to protect against disease is said to have Failure of Passive Transfer.
Llamas have 6 layers of uterine and placental tissue between the dam's blood and the cria's blood (epitheliochorial placentation). This prevents the transfer of any antibodies from dam to cria before birth. Cattle, horses, sheep and goats also have 6 layers. Colostrum is less critical in other species like dogs, cats and humans because there are fewer layers between the fetal and maternal blood supply. This allows for some transfer of antibodies before birth. A cria is born with no antibodies in it's system and their entire source of protective antibodies comes from the colostrum. There are several types of immunoglobulins (antibodies), but IgG is the predominant type of immunoglobulin in llama colostrum.
Compared to normal llama milk, llama colostrum is low in fat, high in protein, higher in lactose and has a lower water content, which makes it thicker. Normal llama milk is higher in fat, lower in protein and lactose and has a higher water content than colostrum. Ash content reflects the amount of minerals and is relatively similar between regular milk and colostrum. Cow, sheep and goat milk are fairly similar to llama milk, but horse milk is fairly different in important categories like fat and lactose. Cow, sheep and goat milk are acceptable replacements, but mare's milk is not.
| Llama | Cow | Ewe | Mare | |
| % Water | 86 | 87 | 82 | 89 |
| % Fat | 5.6 | 3.9 | 7.2 | 1.9 |
| % Protein | 4.3 | 3.2 | 4.6 | 2.5 |
| % Lactose | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 6.2 |
| % Ash | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 |
Colostrum is only produced during the last few weeks prior to parturition (birth). Once the cria is born, colostrum is no longer produced. This is important because colostrum has the highest concentration of antibodies at the first milking. The colostrum remaining in the udder is subsequently diluted by the production of normal milk after each nursing. Failure to wean last year's crias could result in a lack of colostrum for the new cria. The yearling may continue to nurse and will consume all of the colostrum before the new cria is born. This could lead to Failure of Passive Transfer because the new cria receives no colostrum even though it is nursing normally and gaining weight. Teats which leak milk prior to birth will also contribute to the loss of colostrum for the cria.
The cria absorbs the colostral immunoglobulins through the wall of the small intestine without digesting them. The small intestine is only capable of absorbing immunoglobulins in this manner for about 24 hours. The capability of the small intestine to absorb immunoglobulins rapidly decreases from the time of birth until it reaches a negligible ability to absorb by 24 hours after birth. This makes it essential for crias to receive colostrum as early as possible for maximum absorption and maximum passive immunity. Crias should receive approximately 10% of their body weight in colostrum within the first 24 hours. At least half of this amount should be consumed in the first 6 to 12 hours after birth. It is normal for the cria to take 1 to 2 hours before learning how to nurse so there is no need to panic if they do not get a big meal of colostrum in that time.
25lbs / 2.2 = 11.4kg x 10% = 1.14kg which equals 1.14 liters
The important conversions to keep in mind are:
Last updated February 15,1998
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