Can calves have goat milk?
- Thread starter haviris
- Start date
GrassFarmerGalloway
Melts for all babies
I'm sure they CAN have it, but whether it's good for them or has all the right nutrients, I'm guessing no. Then again, I have no experience, it's just logic, different animal, different needs.haviris said:
Farmer Kitty
True BYH Addict
I asked DH and he said yes. But, you may need to water it down a bit.
WildRoseBeef
Range nerd & bovine enthusiast
Goats milk would typically have the same level of nutrients as cows milk only with a higher fat content I guess. So yes I'd think that G M would be good for calves if it is just as good for goat kids.
Imissmygirls
Lonley for cows
One of our local dairy farmers habitually puts calves on her goat. They are fine and grown well.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thank you everyone, very helpful!
I have alot of goat milk, I thought maybe next year I'd get a bottle calf to raise on it, well next year came early I guess and now I have a bottle calf. My vet said the goat milk would give it scours, so I bought some formula, but I've heard others talk about raising calves on goats milk, and I'm pretty sure I've seen pics of calves nursing off a goat.
Can I mix the goat milk w/ the formula? I got a smallish bag and I'm not sure it will last til the calf is weaned, but thought maybe if I could mix it half and half it would save me from having to buy more (and I could go to straight goats milk if I run out of formula).
So if I did feed straight goat milk I would need to water it down?
I have alot of goat milk, I thought maybe next year I'd get a bottle calf to raise on it, well next year came early I guess and now I have a bottle calf. My vet said the goat milk would give it scours, so I bought some formula, but I've heard others talk about raising calves on goats milk, and I'm pretty sure I've seen pics of calves nursing off a goat.
Can I mix the goat milk w/ the formula? I got a smallish bag and I'm not sure it will last til the calf is weaned, but thought maybe if I could mix it half and half it would save me from having to buy more (and I could go to straight goats milk if I run out of formula).
So if I did feed straight goat milk I would need to water it down?
We never have to water down goat milk with calves.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thank you for the help! Do you think it would be ok to mix it w/ the formula? (I'd like to use the goat's milk, but don't want to waste the formula, and if I run out of formula I don't want to have any tummy troubles by switching, if I do half and half, the calf will already be use to it).
I have never done it myself but do know others around here that do mix formula and milk without issue. The biggest problem I see with people bottle feeding is formula that is too cold and cause an upset.
