Calf Talk

February, 2008

Volume 14, No. 2

SOME EGGS WORK, SOME DO NOT

By: Russ Schnepper; D. V, M.

Eggs have been used to treat calf scours for decades. I have had several discussions on the subject. One calf raiser claims excellent results and one says they do not work. Another says they used to work better than they do now. Amish eggs seem to work best. All are correct. It all depends upon where the eggs were produced.

Eggs work best for calf scours if they come from hens that have free range on the same farm where the calves are being raised. The free ranging hens pick around and feed on the manure from the cattle on the farm. This process produces a natural exposure to all the pathogenic, scour causing bacteria, on this farm. The hen then produces antibodies against all the “bugs” on that particular farm. The hen is very efficient at putting the antibodies into the egg. After all she puts everything into the egg that is necessary to produce a new baby chick, with immune antibodies and all.

The beneficial effect from the eggs is from the antibodies and not the protein content of the egg. Feeding eggs that were produced in a commercial poultry flock will not give the desired benefit. Several studies feeding egg protein as a substitute for milk protein indicate the feed efficiency and rate of gain are not as good as for the milk protein.

Now we have Bioniche’s EPIC. Epic is an Egg Protein In Complexes. Epic is produced by vaccinating chickens with 13 specific antigens that represent pathogens involved in calf scours. The hen puts the specific immunoglobulins (IgY’s) and non-specific cofactors into the eggs. Both the whites and yolks of the egg are processed into a very palatable product to be fed in milk, milk replacer, electrolyte solution, or water for calf scours. Epic is formulated with egg proteins, electrolytes, MOS (yeast extract) for binding toxins, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium (good probiotics), sodium bicarbonate (buffering agent against acidosis), L-Glutamine (an amino acid for repair of intestinal villi), charcoal (derived from coconut to absorb toxins), and dextrose as an energy source. These are all recognized ingredients proven to be of critical importance for the scouring calf.

A calf that gets Immunoboost on Day One and scours a few days later, should be treated with a scoop of Epic twice a day for 2 - 3 days. Some raisers give a half scoop of Epic twice a day as a routine preventative. Epic contains antibodies against Clostridia and proves to be a big help for the toxic calves. Epic also contains antibodies against, Rota and Corona Virus, Salmonella, several strains of E. Coli as well as the Clostridials. Epic is a black powder and turns the milk black when it is added. It doesn’t look very appetizing to me, but the calves love the taste of the Epic.

Our usual treatment for clostridial infection is oral penicillin and lots of fluids and most of the calves recover, but are set back for awhile. Now with 20 grams of Epic twice daily in the milk for two to three days, the calf gets over the scours and bloat and continues to eat, progressing without as much of a setback.

EPIC SPECIAL - buy 4 2.2# pails, get a free Danish Esophageal Feeder ($40.38 value)

Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:

Schnepper International, Inc.

3210 County B, Platteville, WI 53818

608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146