The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: detnol on October 08, 2014, 08:03:30 pm
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We have a small farm in Slovakia with 16 dairy sheep (Lacaune x Frisian), 9 Slovak dairy goats and 8 six month old goat kids which we want to keep this year. We have kept sheep and goats for several years but always kept them for at least 6 weeks with their mothers. Last year we had 49 healthy lambs/kids and all reached with out major problems the age of two months at which most were sold. Every year we have a few lambs (2 - 4) we have to raise artificially.
Our adults goats will kid in February 2015 and this time we want to raise all kids artificially because we need goats cheese in early Spring. We plan to keep the kids 3 days with their mothers and then put them on milk replacer (for calves - nothing else available in Slovakia). First week bottle feeding (how much how often?) and then? Buckets with teats or better with bottles? I would like to get get advice on this subject! It is uncommon in Slovakia and I haven't yet found the right website which explains all :)
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Everyone uses their own technique, so it is best to listen to opinions, then to develop what works for you!
Our goat kids never suckle their mothers. They are bottle fed from the first feed, for two to three weeks. On their first day, they'll get 5 feeds, 4-5 fluid ounces to begin with, increasing to maybe 7-8 ounces for the last two feeds of that day. From day 2 allow 8-10 ounces per feed, but we only give four feeds. We give first feed at 6am, then 12 noon, 4:30pm, and before you go to bed- ideally 11pm so they only have seven hours with no milk.
Then increase the amount of milk gradually. Once they are taking between 15- 20 ounces (1pint) at a feed, when they are 2-3 weeks old, we move them onto drinking from a pan or bucket. They drop to 3 feeds a day, offering 35 ounces to begin with, though they don't take it all straightaway. Once they are established on the pan, depending how much we have they get between 1.5 and 2.5 pints at each feed. You may not want to give quite as much as 2.5 pints, 1.5 is adequate to be honest.
I would give them whole goats milk for the first 10 days if possible, then gradually start introducing the artificial milk ( you can mix real milk and artificial together, in different strengths).
Hopefully that helps, feeding on a bucket with teats may be a good option for you.
Beth