How to Mix Lamb Replacer Milk for a Baby Goat

Orphaned kids can be hand-fed milk replacer as a substitute for mother's milk. Milk replacers are available for calves, lambs and kids. If goat milk replacer isn't available, lamb milk replacer is better for kids than milk replacer formulated for calves. It's important to feed the newborn kid colostrum replacement within the first 12 hours of birth if it wasn't able to nurse from its mother. Colostrum is the first milk the mother produces after giving birth and it contains antibodies the baby needs to ward off infection.

Things You'll Need

  • Goat or lamb colostrum replacer
  • Goat or lamb milk replacer
  • Measuring cup
  • Scale
  • Thermometer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed the kid eight ounces of colostrum or colostrum replacer within 12 hours of birth. Continue to feed eight ounces of colostrum four times a day for the first two days.

    • 2

      Mix goat or lamb milk replacer. Mix five ounces of kid milk replacer powder or 6-1/2 ounces of lamb milk replacer powder with 16 ounces of hot water. Whisk for three minutes.

    • 3

      Add 13 ounces of cool water. Whisk for one minute.

    • 4

      Use a thermometer to test the mixture. Milk replacer should be 100 degrees Fahrenheit when fed to the kid.

    • 5

      Feed the kid 10 ounces of milk replacer three times a day on days three and four; 16 ounces three times a day from day five to day 14; 27 ounces twice a day weeks three through six; 27 ounces once a day through week seven; and 16 ounces once a day during week eight.

    • 6

      Feed the kid grain beginning at one week of age. Allow the kid to free feed on kid or lamb starter grain. The kid will continue to eat more grain as it's weaned off milk replacer after eight weeks.

    • 7

      Provide fresh, clean water at all times.