Bottle Feeding Baby Goats
When the kids are born, it is important that they suckle from their mother as soon as possible. The first milk produced after birth is called colostrum and it contains high quantities of antibodies, vitamins and minerals that are essential for newborn kids.
In most cases, the doe will raise the kids herself and you will get to enjoy watching them grow and play. Kids will nurse for 3 months or longer (every kid is different). Nigerian Dwarf kids may begin grazing as early as 2 weeks of age and will eventually begin consuming more solid food and less milk from their dam. Weaning can be stressful on kids, so it is important to keep a close eye on them during this period.
If you plan on bottle feeding kids, frequent small meals of milk (whole cow milk) is suggested. Young kids (2-4 weeks) should be feed every 4-5 hours (nighttime may be able to go a little longer). Feed them 5-6 ounces per bottle at first and then increase as they grow larger. At 4-5 weeks they should get a bottle 4 times per day evenly spaced throughout the daylight (morning noon, evening, and just before bed) with 8 ounces milk. Weeks 5-6, move to three times per day with 8-10 ounces of milk. At 7-10 weeks, give 2 bottles per day one in the morning and one in the evening 10-15 ounces per bottle. Weeks 10-12 start reducing the number of feedings or reduce the amount of milk. This mimics the natural feeding behavior of kids. The goal is to have them completely weaned by 12 weeks.
You can use sturdy plastic water bottles (ones that won’t collapse easily) with a Pritchard Flutter Valve nipple (available at most feed or farm supple stores). These nipples screw on to most standard water or soda bottles. Make sure the bottle is offered to the kids so that the bottle is positioned a bit higher so they have to reach up a bit to drink (so that the milk goes down the right tube) – think about a kid drinking from their mother. One important note – the milk you offer MUST bewarmed to 100 degrees to simulate a doe’s milk temperature.
In many cases, Nigerian Dwarf goats are more than just pets – they can also be used for milk or help keep pastures from becoming overgrown. If you do plan on keeping your goats in a pasture, you will need to supplement their diet. Even though goats eat weeds and brush, these types of forbs may not satisfy all the nutritional needs. In general, the dietary needs of Nigerian Dwarf goats include:
- Access to clean water
- A constant supple of quality hay (or pasture)
- Supplementation with non-toxic greens (from garden for example)
- Daily mineral supplements
- A regular feeding routine (goats do not like “change”)
Fresh, clean water is essential. Nigerian Dwarf goats tend not to accept water that has been dirtied so you will have to check their water several times per day and change it if necessary. Be careful where you place water troughs/buckets so that goats do not accidently urinate or defecate in them – if they do, change the water immediately.
Nigerian Dwarf goats typically will not eat food/hay that has touched the floor or ground. So, a small hayrack is required. And although goats like a variety of foods in their diet, sudden changes in dietary routine could cause digestive issues. Introduce changes to the diet slowly so stomachs can adjust.
Foods to avoid.
Alder Honeysuckle Daffodils Laburnum Laurel Walnut Foxglove Ragwort Privet
Mayweed Rhododendron Bryony
Celedine Yew Tulips Delphinium Buttercup Hemlock Nightshades Dried apple leaves