TLDR Newborn mice need colostrum for zinc to grow normally.
Newborn mice deprived of colostrum and nursed by foster mothers in later lactation stages developed various disorders, including retarded growth, skin alterations (such as alopecia and hyperkeratinization), and deformed nails, due to zinc deficiency. These disorders were prevented by oral zinc administration, indicating that colostrum contains significantly higher zinc levels than later milk.
2 citations
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December 2019 in “The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine” Zinc deficiency harms goat health and can cause economic losses.
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January 2009 in “Springer eBooks” The document concludes that managing skin conditions during pregnancy is important and requires specialized care.
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July 2021 in “Veterinary record/The veterinary record” A calf in Scotland likely had Schmallenberg virus from its mother.
