Help with 2 baby kids

[Chuckfriedrice]

We got 2 baby kids, 2 weeks old . Weve only have had them 2 days now . I just want to be sure their feedings are inline . They should be eating up to 4-6 oz of are formula (whole milk/buttermilk/condensed milk formula ) . They eat about 2 oz each but The breeder said they were picking at the feed and hey so i left some of it with them . I also left water in case they ate the grains or hey . We know they are bibbling each and drinking the water. They are just learning bottle feedings , so I give them the bottle until they really put up a fight . I just wanna be sure were on the right track . I just wanna make sure these little buggers are taken care of . I tried to prepare for these kids as best I could I even bought bounce back by manna pro just in case we had major problem .

 

[elevan]

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=586-baby-goat-info

 

[Pioneer Chicken]

First, howdy & welcome to BYH! : )

What breed of goats are they? If they're Nigerian Dwarf, 3-5 oz per kid is about what they should be getting since they're two weeks old. At that age, I'd be feeding them four to five times a day. When I had bottle babies last year, I added a good pinch or two (about a 1/2 teaspoon) of baking soda to their bottle to help prevent bloat. Just keep at it and be patient; they should get the hang of it. Hay is fine to leave out for them, but I think they're a little young yet to need any grain. I'd wait till they're older so you don't get bloat problems or enterotoxemia (over eating disease).

 

[Chuckfriedrice]

Yes they are Nigerian Dwarf , I wasnt worried about bloat because they dont pig out on the grain but I noticed they have eaten sum . I was Just making sure they 2oz they are consuming is ok . At a certain point they put up a real fight about eating from the bottle . They are young so I was just making sure my babies are covered .

 

[elevan]

Were they started on the bottle or were they allowed to nurse from their dam? If they were allowed to nurse then that would explain their fighting of the bottle. Just keep at it.

 

[Chuckfriedrice]

Were they started on the bottle or were they allowed to nurse from their dam? If they were allowed to nurse then that would explain their fighting of the bottle. Just keep at it.

Yes they nursed up til monday night ! As long as were in the ballpark for feeding im not worried !

 

[Pearce Pastures]

I have had a few that I switched from dam to bottle. Give them a week or two and they will be bottle pros. Fine to offer a little grain and hay, just be watchful for bloated tummies and scouring.

Watch that they can't jump into a water bucket. They may sip it this young but I haven't had any drink water that early.

With bottle babies especially, I always treat proactively for coccidia at 3 weeks old using sulfadimethox (not Corid). Something to think about in case you need to order it.