Why should milk replacer be mixed and fed according to directions?
Nutrients are absorbed by osmosis. In mammalian physiology, all body fluid compartments contain 300 milliosmols of osmolarity. So for optimal absorption (osmosis) of nutrients by the calf, the milk replacer should be around 300 milliosmols. Properly mixed calf milk replacer will contain 260-280 milliosmols of osmolarity, which is ideal for best absorption and digestion of the milk replacer. What occurs if calf milk replacer is mixed too concentrated? • If calf milk replacer is mixed more concentrated than labeled mixing directions (for example 10 oz. in 1 quart of water instead of 2 quarts), the resulting mix will be too concentrated (500-520 milliosmols, well above 300 milliosmols). • To be absorbed, the concentrated solution must be held in the lumen of the intestinal tract until enough water can be secreted into the intestinal tract to dilute the concentrated milk replacer solution down to 300 milliosmols or below. • This can take considerable time and may stall out the intestines a
