Sour colostrum can be extended by adding milk or milk replacer at feeding time. If the supply is insufficient to feed the calf through weaning, blend whole milk or milk replacer with the sour colostrum for four to five days before switching to milk or milk replacer. Avoid abrupt changes in feeding habits and procedures. When milk is stored in small containers, such as a gallon jug, there is less opportunity to blend the supply so that a greater variation in protein and dry matter content can occur from one container to another. A mixture of two parts sour colostrum and one part warm water is normally fed each day in an amount equal to 6 to 10 percent of the birth weight of the calf.
Warm water is preferred because it aids in the mixing.
If scours occur, reduce sour colostrum feeding by one-half or discontinue feeding for a day. After a day, increase sour colostrum feeding gradually. Never force a calf to consume all that is offered. If part of a feeding is refused, don't feed more in an effort to catch up. It's better to reduce the next feeding slightly.