If you have ever scrambled to milk a doe right after she gives birth, you are not alone. In dairy goat operations, colostrum is liquid gold, but timing its collection can be stressful. A 2024 study out of Australia took a closer look at whether that urgency is always necessary. Researchers collected colostrum from 56 Saanen does at four different time points after kidding: immediately, 4 to 6 hours, 8 to 10 hours, and 12 to 14 hours postpartum. Then they measured IgG levels, total protein, and Brix values1 to determine whether quality declined over time.
The results might surprise you. IgG concentrations stayed consistent, regardless of whether the colostrum was collected right away or up to 14 hours after birth. Brix values and total protein also remained steady and strongly correlated with IgG. In practical terms, this means that as long as the colostrum is collected within that 14-hour window, the passive immunity it provides to kids is not likely to be compromised.
This has real implications during a busy kidding season. Maybe you are helping with another birth, or maybe the doe is not ready to be milked right away. This study offers reassurance. You do not have to sacrifice colostrum quality if collection is delayed a few hours. The immune-boosting potential of the colostrum appears to hold steady across those time frames.
The study also reinforces something some goat owners have already adopted: the use of Brix refractometers on-farm. A Brix reading of 20 percent or more was a reliable indicator of high IgG content. This makes Brix testing a useful, affordable, and practical tool for quickly checking colostrum quality before feeding it to newborns. (Here is an article on using the Brix to test your own goat’s colostrum).
Limitations
The findings are valuable, but as always, there are some limits. The study only looked at one breed, the Saanen, in controlled conditions on Australian farms. We do not yet know how other breeds or more variable management systems might respond. Additionally, the study did not follow the goat kids long term to evaluate whether those IgG levels translated into actual health outcomes or survival rates. While this research gives us strong reason to be confident about delayed milking, more studies are needed to fully understand how this affects different populations and scenarios.
Relevance for Us
For everyday goat keepers, especially those managing multiple births at once, this study takes some pressure off. You can safely collect colostrum within the first 12 to 14 hours after birth without worrying about a drop in IgG content. That is especially helpful for does that need more time to settle or for farms with limited labor during kidding season.
It also encourages continued use of Brix testing as a valid method for checking colostrum quality in real time. This gives you a quick, objective way to decide which colostrum to feed or freeze, even if you’re not able to milk immediately after kidding. Whether you are managing a commercial dairy or a small homestead herd, these insights help build better kid care routines with less panic.
Quick Takeaways
- Colostrum collected up to 14 hours after birth maintained high IgG levels.
- Brix readings remained a reliable on-farm tool for gauging colostrum quality.
- Saanen goat colostrum showed no decline in immune value across delayed time points.
- Goat owners can prioritize safe, humane handling over rushing to milk immediately.
Author Bios
F. Zamuner is a livestock researcher with a focus on neonatal immunity and colostrum quality. She is affiliated with both Charles Sturt University and the University of Melbourne.
A. W. N. Cameron is a veterinary researcher and lecturer with expertise in goat management, reproduction, and nutrition.
E. K. Carpenter studies neonatal physiology and dairy production in small ruminants, particularly under Australian grazing systems.
G. Arcos-Gómez focuses on goat dairy systems and colostrum handling practices.
B. J. Leury is a professor of animal science with research interests in physiology and production outcomes in ruminants.
K. DiGiacomo is a specialist in goat health and husbandry, working to connect research findings with on-farm application.
(Biographical details gathered from institutional profiles and research publications.)
Citation
Zamuner, F., Cameron, A. W. N., Carpenter, E. K., Arcos-Gómez, G., Leury, B. J., & DiGiacomo, K. (2024). Postponing first colostrum collection: impact on immunoglobulin G in goat colostrum. Animal, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.2088
- Brix values are correlated with immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in goat colostrum, meaning higher Brix values generally indicate higher IgG levels ↩︎
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