Courtesy of Danielle Langloism, Wikipedia CCLBottle Babies
The best way to raise kids is to let the dam handle it. That’s what mothers are for. There are circumstances, however, when human intervention is crucial.
Does normally kid twins. Triplets are not uncommon and at times, blessings abound and quadruplets arrive. Some does can handle triplets; some can’t. With quads or quints and sometimes triplets, count on bottle feeding.
If the kid is otherwise healthy, bottle feeding is a lot like feeding a human baby. You can use a baby bottle and nipple, but cut a small X in the nipple end to ensure good milk flow. If you think you cut the X a bit too large, it’s just the right size. The bottle should be held slightly above the kid’s head so the kid has to stretch its neck up and out a bit to grasp the nipple.
Feed the kid 6-8 ounces every 3-4 hours for the first two days. After that, 10-12 ounces four times a day for the next week or two, dropping to three times a day after that for six weeks, then down to twice a day for a couple of weeks and once a day for two weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the kid should be weaned and fully eating hay or browse. Warm the milk to around body temperature. The goat’s body temperature, not yours, so 100-102 degrees.
Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t try to wean a kid in less than 10 weeks. Twelve weeks is better as that allows the rumen to develop fully. Unless there’s a health concern, leave the kid with the other goats. Kids learn how to be a goat by watching the other goats go about their lives. If you remove the kid, it won’t become a part of the herd and you’ll wind up with a dysfunctional goat.
It is imperative that the kid receive colostrum within the first 24 hours after birth. Milk it from the dam if possible or another doe who has recently kidded. Without colostrum, the kid won’t develop the antibodies needed to fight off infection. If no colostrum is available, a replacer can be used but this should not be your first choice.
There are colostrum replacement products on the market but make sure you purchase one that is specifically for goats. Goats are not cows or sheep so they should be given goat products, if at all possible. Plan ahead and save some colostrum from your does each time they kid. It can be frozen and thawed later when needed.
Bottle feeding takes some adjustment on both ends of the bottle. Expect the kid and yourself to get covered in milk until you get it figured out. Expect it in your hair and up your nose. Expect to get peed on because as soon as they eat, kids tend to pee — a lot!
The nice things about bottle-fed goats are the ease of handling and socialibility as adults. The bad thing is getting up at all hours of the night to heat milk and feed a squalling, squirming goat but it’s an experience every goat herder should have at some point in their goat life. It certainly serves to make you respect the dams and there are few things that make you say “aaawwww” like cuddling up and feeding a newborn goat.
Hello, I thought your article was good. I just had quads and have found out that is a big deal around here. However, one did not make it. The weather turned bad the night it was born. But the other ones are during ok so far. They were born on 2/2/10
Quads. That’s a lot of goat. Too much for most does. Most quads require supplemental bottle feedings. Hope you’ve got the alarm clock set and the extra milk ready to go! Good luck.
Naimhe Jeanne lost one of her triplets this year when the doe just couldn’t deliver enough milk. It was really touch and go. Good luck with your remaining kids. They sound like they are in good hands with you.