Kid Bottle Feeding Info
I've added this page to share our bottle feeding knowledge with others since we sell so many bottle babies. Bottle babies are so easy once they get started, but there are certain things to watch for in order to keep healthy kids. Bottle kids make THE BEST pets. All our kids get a Selenium and Vitamin E gel as well as a dose of nutridrench days 1-3.
Bottle Feeding
We definitely don't do every single thing this chart recommends, but it has helped us a lot. Just remember the amounts recommended are over a 24 hour period, so you'll need to calculate them out in your number of feedings. We usually have Nigerian milk to sell with our babies (so check with us if you need some to get them started). I always recommend taking at least half a gallon from us if we have it so you can slowly transfer them to new milk and not upset their stomach, otherwise you may see some scours. Whole cows milk from the store we absolutely recommend over replacer, however if you are set on replacer Manna Pro has some of the better ones.
Bottle Types
Kids can be so picky about starting out on a bottle, and moving into a new environment stressing them out usually doesn't help their appetite. Below is the best bottle we have found that is similar to the smaller Nigerian teats. We use it to start all of our kids, it can usually be found at Tractor Supply or Petco, but i try to keep them in stock to sell with our kids at $5 each. It is the Pet Ag Ballon Nipple. All our kids are usually started on the bottle at least 24 hours prior to going to their new homes unless otherwise discussed with buyer. Your kid may not eat the best till it gets warmed up to its new home, as long as they are getting at least an ounce every feeding to keep them hydrated for the first 24 hours then they will be okay. If by 24 hours your baby is still not sucking on that bottle or making an attempt then please get ahold of us or your local vet.
Kid Temperature
Temperature is very important in your kids. Kids have a hard time keeping their body heat regulated the first couple weeks of life. It is VERY IMPORTANT to avoid pneumonia. We require all our bottle babies be kept in an above 50 degree environnment. So if you are purchasing one in the winter, then they must stay in the house (you can put diapers on them and put them in a dog crate easily with puppy pads), in a heated barn or garage. Here is info if your goat gets too cold.
Coccidia
This is not something to worry about too much unless you have many goats or are keeping your kids with adult goats as adults carry coccidia. I personally predose all my kids for coccidia as it's a hard disease to fight and since i have many goats i do see it in my kids occasionallt if i don't predose. I would rather spend money predosing than a lot more trying to treat the nasty disease. We use Toltrazuril from prehorseracemeds.
