How to Feed Orphaned Goats

A baby goat, known as a kid, can become an orphan when the mother dies during the birthing process. A young goat will require bottle feeding until it reaches six weeks of age. The orphan will benefit from spending time with other goats when it reaches two weeks old. Socializing with its own species while continuing to bottle feed will help teach the kid that it can eat grass, hay and pellets, which will help at weaning time.

Things You'll Need

  • Commercial colostrum substitute mix purchased from feed store or veterinary supply outlet.
  • 6 cc syringe
  • Nipple bottle
  • Commercial goat milk replacer formula
  • Starter goat food
  • Hay
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Feed the orphan goat colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk produced by the mother, within 20 minutes of birth. Colostrum contains maternal antibodies that the kid will require to survive. Use a commercial colostrum substitute mix if the kid was unable to nurse from its mother right after birth. Purchase the commercial colostrum from a feed store or veterinarian supplier. Mix the colostrum according to the directions on the label. Dribble the colostrum into the newborn kid's mouth using a 6 cc syringe. Administer 6 cc's of colostrum every 20 minutes for the first 24 hours.

    • 2

      Stick your thumb into the newborn kid's mouth. If the kid demonstrates good sucking ability fill a bottle with two ounces of commercial colostrum and bottle feed it to the the kid every two hours instead of using a syringe. Feed only the colostrum during the kid's first 24 hours of life.

    • 3

      Hold the kid close when bottle feeding it. Consider stroking the side of its throat. Orphaned kids benefit from the physical closeness when bottle feeding. Feed the bottles of formula at room temperature.

    • 4

      Feed two ounces of commercial goat milk replacer in a bottle every two hours for the kid's first week of life. Increase the milk to six ounces every four hours halfway through the kid's first week of life. Feed eight ounces of formula three times per day when the kid reaches two weeks old. Gradually increase the formula to 16 ounces three times per day over the course of two weeks. Reduce the frequency of feedings from three times per day to only twice per day when the kid begins consuming all 16 ounces of formula per feeding. Increase the formula to 20 ounces per feeding twice a day.

    • 5

      Free-feed the kid a goat starter feed that contains 18 to 20 percent protein at 10 days of age. The kid will only pick at the food but will eventually begin consuming small amounts. Provide a green, leafy hay for the kid. Keep fresh water available at all times.

    • 6

      Cease bottle feeding the baby goat at six weeks of age. Ensure that the kid weighs 20 pounds at the time of weaning.