New to goats, Questions about bottle babies?

[Alephant]

Hi there, I'm new to this forum, but I have some experience with livestock.
I'm probably going to be getting a baby goat sometime in the next week if not this weekend, and I have a few questions on them. Before I start, I'll begin by saying I have no experience with goats other than holding them when they come to the school farm and helping others castrate and de-bud. This would have been my fourth year showing lambs but this year's project died last week and I'm trying to get something I will be able to raise in time for fair. :c

Anyway, I've been reading up on baby goats, and I'm likely going to be getting a pretty young baby(about 1-2 weeks old), of a dairy breed, probably La Mancha. So here's what I've got to ask:

Can I use a regular baby bottle to feed, or are there special bottles to use?
Do I need to buy goat feed and make it available to him/her, or can that wait until they are a bit older?
Do I need a heat lamp to help keep him/her warm?
If I get a La Mancha, do they need any special care in regards to their ears?
I've read that whole cow's milk is best for kids, is this true, or should I buy milk replacer?

That's about all I think of right now, so if you have any answers, or even advice in regards to other aspects of raising a goat, I'd really appreciate it. c: Thanks everyone.

 

[themorethemerrier]

In December, I got three bottle babies. Two were 2.5 weeks old and the third was 3.5 weeks old when I got them. For their bottles I used plastic reusable water bottles and nipples from the feed store. The nipples are made to fit reusable drink bottles which is very cool. Plus a package of three nipples was only $7 and I'm still using them! My boys are down to just one bottle feeding a day (because I'm a weenie...they eat their grass hay just fine but know how to bleat real well too!). That would be my one warning, only get bottle babies if you have the time to feed them 3 times a day, perhaps more if you get them really young. I initially fed them whole milk but switched to a goat kid milk replacer. They did great on both.

Are you wanting a doeling or a buckling? Since they are herd animals, they really need a buddy. Most everyone agrees you should have two together or have another herd animal for them to bond with.

As for keeping them warm, I kept my boys in the garage at night for the first two or three weeks. It stays above freezing in our garage most nights. All three slept in a dog kennel that was lined with a doggie piddle pad and a bunch of straw...the piddle pad was to help absorb all the pee since they will pee a ton, being on a liquid diet! If it was going to be really cold I put a space heater outside the make-shift pen in the garage to provide a bit more heat. During the day they stayed outside unless we had artic cold, snow or winds which seemed like most of January!!!!

Since these little guys are my first ever herd animals, my experience is limited and I can only draw on my last 10 weeks. But the folks on here are awesome so you will receive tons of invaluable information and support!

Welcome!

 

[Alephant]

Thanks for your advice I live in southern california, so it doesn't get very cold here, and we never get snow so that won't be a problem, lol. I'm going to get a large dog crate/kennel that way I'll have a place just in case and also for transporting and whatnot.
I'll probably be getting a buckling, since there aren't many does available here.
I'll have to go by the feed store and see if they have any nipples, and just do what you did.

Thanks a bunch

 

[bonbean01]

Welcome to BYH! I have sheep, no goats...and have never had a bottle baby, but see you have already gotten some great advice...might as well get two so the little one won't be lonely...enjoy your bottle baby/babies

 

[Alephant]

Thanks bonbean! Sheep is what I'm used to, but I decided I want to branch out and try something else, plus I recently fell in love with baby goats. ;3

 

[NaturesPace]

A buddy is pretty important. So see if you can get two boys.

 

[Bucking Adoeable Fainters]

Did you find your little goat yet? Idk where you are in So Cal, but we are in the IE/SD area and breed Myotonic/Fainting Goats. I don't have anyone in my circle with La Manchas, but I do know of Nigierians and Alpines.

Since you have experience with sheep/lambs I'd say you'll be okay with bottle babies, not something I'd recommend for any first time owner, also getting a buckling lol. I'm sure you'll do great. Post questions and we'll all try to help. Please please do yourself and your new little man a favor and get 2 goats. Theyll be a lot happier healthier amd quieter, and you'll be sainer. Lol!

Best of luck and welcome to your new addiction of goat babies!