The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: fifixx on May 01, 2012, 05:50:41 pm
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I raise goats for meat, so have never milked them. But I have started bottle feeding the smallest of 2 sets of triplets as they are obviously not getting a look in at mum's milk and are much smaller than the other 2 siblings.
I have a goat who just had a single, and has nice big udders, obviously lots of milk as her kid is bigger than all the rest even though born last! She is the boss of the lot and quite scary and wild, although once caught will stand still for a bit.
Could I milk her a bit to give to the other kids - I have been buying goats milk for them, but it's getting expensive as they are having two thirds of a litre (in 2 feeds) per day and possibly need a bit more?
I don't want to stress her, if she will get used to it quickly, I'll give it a go
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Give it a try, you can only fail! Have you calculated if it is cheaper to feed those two on Lamlac rather than shop-bought (and pasteurised) goats milk?
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I've been advised Lamblac is not digested easily by goats - is that true? When I bottle fed one last year, I was told to give goats milk
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I'm using Caprilac from Goat Nutrition (easy to find on google also on ebay) which is specially formulated for kids. Mine didn't notice any difference from mum's milk and there is no change in their digestive process either. Don't know if it is a lot more expensive than lamb versions (10kg for £33 I think) but they deliver anywhere. You can call on 01233 770780, they are very helpful.
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When I bought Snowcloud, she was being fed on Lamlac. It does say on the bag that it is suitalbe for goat kids but you make the mix weaker than for lambs. Cloud has half Lamlac and half milk from my older goat.