How to Feed Newborn Goats

Baby goats sometimes need humans to feed them, especially if a goat is an orphan, or the mother has rejected it. Goats who must be bottle fed often require more work than the ones who are fed by their mothers, but the work will help them grow into healthy adults. A bottle-fed newborn goat will require 24-hour care during the first few weeks of life due to his need for frequent feedings.

Things You'll Need

  • Feeding bottle
  • Feeding nipples
  • Clean towels
  • Goat milk or
  • 1 gallon whole milk
  • 1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces)
  • 1 cup cultured buttermilk
  • Goat Nutri-Drench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place 2 to 4 ounces of fresh goat milk straight from the newborn's mother into a sterilized bottle and place the nipple on the bottle. If you do not have goat milk, you may use whole milk. Empty the whole milk out of the gallon and into a container. Place 1 can of evaporated milk (12 ounces), 1 cup of butter milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of goat nutra-drench into the container and mix together. Place 2 ounces of the mixture into the bottle.

    • 2

      Warm the goat milk until it is slightly above room temperature. Place the bottle under warm running water to allow the milk to warm.

    • 3

      Place the baby goat in a secure area where you can easily access him; a stall or small paddock works well. Approach the goat with the bottle and get down to the goat's level.

    • 4

      Offer the baby goat the bottle of milk. Squirt some milk out onto the nipple if the baby refuses the bottle at first. Stimulate the goat by placing your finger in the mouth and allowing the baby to suck it, then place the bottle in its mouth. Wrap an arm loosely around the goat to help support it while it is feeding. Remove your arm if the goat appears comfortable and able to suckle from the bottle on its own.

    • 5

      Feed the newborn 2 ounces of the goat's milk or the homemade goat's milk substitute recipe every two hours around the clock for the first two to three days, and then feed between 4 to 6 ounces every four to six hours.