Horse sounding kid and a feeding question

[KBauza]

It's probably nothing but I like to be sure. We picked up two Nigerian Dwarf bottle babies two days ago, they are 6 and 12 days old. When we first picked them up the older girl (now named Krestly) screamed and screamed, now she is horse and squeaky. Everything seems fine, both girls play and explore and are very active. Is it safe to assume she just did a little too much yelling while she adjusted to her new home? I also have a question about feeding. Neither of our girls were started on the bottle as this was kind of an emergency separation. The younger baby's (Ellie Mae) mother was not doing well and she was unlikely to recover while nursing so we have her but we didn't want her to be quarantined alone so we asked to bring home a half sister that she was already used to. Both of them were dam raised before we picked them up and they are not happy about the bottle. My only experience has been with babies started on bottle right away, also 4+ weeks and larger breeds. Part of me is really worried they are not eating enough, they eat around 2ozs each every 3-4 hours from the bottle, mostly licking up what drips in my hand after they chew the nipple. The last few feedings I have resorted to squirting formula in a bowl and letting them drink it that way, and it had improved their intake a bit. Is it ok to allow them to eat this way?

 

[Rammy]

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[Rammy]

@Goat Whisperer @Devonviolet @B&B Happy goats , and if you ladies an think of anyone else to tag for advice!

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Welcome to BYH from Florida.....sorry you are having bottle feeding issues,. I larger hole in the nipple, for me it lets them drink more and and they don't chew on it. You can sit them on your lap and open their mouth and tease their lips with some milk, they usually resist but will get the hang of it if you persist...
The screaming could of been the seperation from her her mom and the change of moving....
They should be drinking more, just make the hole larger and be persistent in getting them latched on to it...
What are you feeding them ? .....whole cows milk works awesome with no digestive problems. ...hope I answered some of your questions, and best of luck to you and the kids

 

[Southern by choice]

How much do they weigh? That gives a better idea of how much they should be taking by bottle.
Our Nigerians may be 2# at birth or 5# at birth so they will take accordingly. At 6 & 12 days old it will really depend on weight for how much to feed.

I understand the situation however it is totally irresponsible for any breeder to send off any kid not trained to the bottle. PERIOD!
The breeder could have worked with them and trained them before sending them off.

It is normal for them to be hoarse, especially since they were being dam raised and now relocated and put on bottle.

 

[KBauza]

Thank you all for your insight. Both girls are doing very well at this point. The weekend has been busy with the holiday so I am sorry to be getting back to you so late. We are still working on the bottle, and they have a small dish with an ounce or two they can go to if they are hungry. When they go to the dish we offer the bottle. We took them to Easter dinner at my Mom's where I picked my Uncle's brain too, he has a bit of goat experience. He suggested going by Body Condition Score, in which case we would be on track.

 

[Southern by choice]

You cannot go by body condition score on a week old kid. You need to feel the belly after feeding the bottle to see if the kid is full or not.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I know a breeder that feeds all of his kids in a bowl so if they take it that way it's fine.
We got a kid from him at 5 weeks old and we switched him to a bottle. It was some work, but he got the hang of it.

 

[Southern by choice]

Yeah, we did trough feeding one year it was fine but they took it fast. My concern was the esophageal groove. They did fine though.
So yeah, if they will take the milk that way great but they need more that 2-3 oz per feeding.