How to Use Goat's Milk to Raise Calves

There are many advantages to raising calves on goat's milk instead of using a commercial powdered milk-replacement product. You can avoid calf scours (severe diarrhea) resulting from milk-replacement products. Goat's milk is also less expensive, costing as little as $35 dollars per calf, $15 - $140 cheaper than milk-replacement powder, according to Homestead.org.

Things You'll Need

  • Bottles specifically for feeding young calves
  • Goat's milk
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sterilize the bottles by placing them into boiling water. Heat a mixture of 3/4 milk and 1/4 water to lukewarm. Pour into the bottles. Newborn or small calves should each be fed a quart of the mixture.

    • 2

      Feed each calf 3 times a day to support healthy digestion and prevent the animal from experiencing diarrhea. Increase the amount gradually each day until the calves are consuming 1 gallon a day. Simultaneously reduce the amount of water in the mixture until it becomes just goat's milk.

    • 3

      Adapt the calves to grains and hay by introducing them as early as possible. At 6 weeks begin to wean the calves off the goat's milk and onto grains and hay by hand-feeding them. Keep an ample amount of hay available in their habitat, and they will eventually begin to take advantage of the available food.