Colostrum for Kids

Cosmo and Calendula. These two are inseparable. Never have I seen two goats have a closer friendship

Yesterday, my husband ventured into the pasture to check on one of our first-time fresheners (a doe experiencing her first delivery). What he discovered was heart-wrenching. Our beloved Cosmo gave birth to two kids, but tragically, neither was viable. One kid arrived stillborn and underdeveloped, while the other emerged barely breathing. I do not know what transpired in utero for this to happen, yet it is clear that my dear Cosmo was utterly devastated. Never before have I heard her cry so sorrowfully as she did last night.

Cosmo way up in my business this past Fall

My husband and I try our very best to make every heartbreak that we experience into a learning moment and try to find a way to salvage whatever we can from all situations. In this case we needed to help Cosmo feel some form of comfort and distraction. We already planned to have her become a milker, so we decided to begin collection of her colostrum and save it for future kids. We also try to milk all does that reject a kid so that the kid receives its mother’s colostrum as well.

In the world of goat husbandry, a “colostrum bank” is often the difference between life and death for a weak or rejected kid. Because colostrum and raw goat milk have different viscosities and purposes, here is a guide on the best ways to filter and store them effectively.

Filtering Colostrum
Since colostrum is thick, “sticky,” and high in solids/immunoglobulins, standard fine milk filters often clog instantly.

The Tool: Use a stainless steel coarse mesh strainer or a butter muslin/cheesecloth. Avoid the fine disposable paper filters used for regular milk; the colostrum will just sit on top and won’t pass through.
The Goal: You aren’t trying to remove microscopic particles as much as you are removing physical debris (hair, dander, or bedding) that may have fallen in during milking. (I use this milk machine to assist in keeping debris out and also save my hand strength.)
Temperature Tip: Filter it while it is still body temperature. As colostrum cools, it thickens significantly, making filtering nearly impossible.

Filtering Regular Milk
Goat milk fat globules are naturally smaller than cow milk (naturally homogenized), which is why it feels “creamy” despite being thinner than colostrum.

The Tool: You can use standard disposable milk filter disks or a fine-mesh funnel. (I prefer a disposable filter disk)
Gravity is your friend: If you find it’s moving slowly, ensure your funnel has a vent or lift the filter slightly to allow air to escape.

Storage & Freezing Tips
If you are saving the colostrum or milk for future emergencies, how you store it is just as important as how you filter it.

Flat-Pack Freezing: Store colostrum in freezer bags (double-bagged for safety). Lay them flat on a cookie sheet to freeze. This creates a “sheet” of colostrum that thaws much faster and more evenly than a solid block in a jar.

Small Increments: Freeze in 2oz to 4oz portions. A newborn kid only needs small amounts at a time, and you don’t want to thaw a whole quart if you only need a few ounces.

Label Everything: Mark the bag with the Date and the Doe’s Name. If you have a doe known for high-quality production or a CAE-negative status, that information is vital for the future.

A Critical Warning on Thawing

When the time comes to use that colostrum, never use a microwave. Microwaves create hot spots that destroy the delicate antibodies (immunoglobulins) the kid needs. Always thaw the bag in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water.

I’m turning a difficult situation into a life-saving resource for my herd. Having a stillborn is hard on not just the farmer but that mama was so incredibly sad. Getting some grain and special attention definitely helped improve her spirit.