How to Bottle Feed a Goat or Lamb
Like 2 Dislike 0 Published on 2 Feb 2020
How to bottle feed a goat or lamb Bottle feeding goats can be challenging! In this video, Tim will discuss how a few simple tips can make bottle feeding your goats a whole lot easier!
Do you have questions about your small farm not covered in this video? Don't worry! Just contact us at www.linessafarms.com
We are always happy to answer your questions regarding hobby farming and small farming. We know that information is hard to find and a lot of the information out there may not pertain to you and your unique situation. This is where Linessa Farms aims to help. Simply contact us through our website or email us at customerservice@linessafarms.com
Check out our upcoming videos on how to raise orphan goats and lambs. We will also be producing a new video on how to mix goat and lamb formula at home with inexpensive ingredients you can purchase in the grocery store!
We generally start our babies out on 4oz of formula every 4 hours and progress them as tolerated. A good rule of thumb is to feed the babies an ounce for every hour between feedings. That is to say, if you are feeding the babies every 6 hours, you should feed them 6oz of formula. We usually feed every 4 hours for the first week and then progress in 2 hour increments every week after. Most babies will tolerate weaning as early as 6 weeks as long as they are eating hay, grain, and drinking water on their own without any problems. Remember, all babies are different and will progress in their own way. If you have problems, don't hesitate to contact your local veterinarian.
Don't every attempt to force a sick, cold, or unconscious baby to drink formula! Cold babies will not eat and you may cause them to aspirate and die. Always check the suck reflex of the baby before you feed. You can test the suck reflex by placing your finger in the babies mouth. A healthy, normal baby will have a warm mouth and will instantly start to nurse on your finger. If the baby's mouth is cold or if the baby is not attempting to nurse, you should treat for hypothermia or contact your veterinarian immediately!