Feeding and Nutrition of Baby Goats

Feeding and nutrition are critical to the health and growth of baby goats. This lesson covers the safest feeding practices, addresses common issues, and provides actionable steps to ensure your baby goats thrive.

1. Milk Choices for Baby Goats

Raw Goat Milk:

• Risks:
  • Can transmit diseases such as CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis) and Johne’s disease.
  • Not recommended as a safe milk source for baby goats.

Commercial Goat Milk Formulas:

• Challenges:
  • Often made with low-grade cheese whey, which is high in salt and can lead to salt toxicity in baby goats.
  • Incorrect mixing or overfeeding formula can cause severe health issues, including death.
• Best Option:
  • Grober Milk Replacer (from Canada):
    • High quality with added coccidiostat for health protection.
    • Safe and effective when mixed properly, but expensive.
    • Requires accurate measurement by weight (grams), not volume.

Whole Cow’s Milk:

• Recommendation:
  • Safest and most reliable milk source.
  • Minimizes the risk of errors in preparation and feeding.

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2. Colostrum

• Importance:
  • Vital for transferring maternal immunity within the first 48 hours of life.
  • Provides a temporary immune boost during early days or periods of illness.
• Limitations:
  • After 48 hours, colostrum no longer enhances long-term immunity but can still support short-term immune responses.

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3. Grain and Hay for Baby Goats

• Free Choice Hay:
  • Always provide high-quality grass hay for proper rumen development.
• Grain Feeding:
  • Pros: Provides phosphorus, balancing the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the diet, which can prevent urinary calculi.
  • Risks: Overfeeding grain or poor hydration can lead to health issues such as urinary calculi (particularly in male goats).

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4. Preventing Urinary Calculi

Urinary calculi can be a life-threatening condition. Follow these best practices:

Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio:

• Maintain a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio (calcium:phosphorus).
• Avoid excessive calcium from sources like alfalfa or hard water.

Water Quality:

• Hard Water Risks:
  • High calcium content in well water can contribute to calcium stone formation.
  • Test your well water for calcium levels if using a private source.
• Encourage Hydration:
  • Use loose minerals (not blocks) to encourage water intake.
  • Ensure access to fresh, clean water at all times.

Ammonium Chloride:

• Acidifies urine and dissolves phosphorus stones but is ineffective on calcium stones.
• Useful for treating and preventing phosphorus-based stones if needed.

Winter Care:

• Provide lukewarm water in winter with a tank heater to encourage drinking.

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5. Common Feeding Missteps to Avoid

• Overfeeding Milk or Formula:
  • More is not better; it can lead to diarrhea and other digestive issues.
  • Follow precise feeding measurements to prevent salt toxicity and over-nutrition.
• Using Salt Blocks Instead of Loose Minerals:
  • Blocks may limit intake, reducing water consumption and salt balance.

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6. Feeding Protocol for Baby Goats

1. Milk:
   • Use whole cow’s milk or a high-quality milk replacer like Grober.
2. Hay:
   • Free-choice access to clean, high-quality grass hay.
3. Grain (Optional):
   • Provide in moderation, especially for male kids, to support a balanced diet.
4. Minerals:
   • Offer loose minerals free-choice to ensure adequate intake.
5. Water:
   • Always have fresh, clean water available, adjusting for seasonal needs.

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7. Key Takeaways

• Whole cow’s milk is the safest and easiest milk option for baby goats.
• Avoid raw goat milk and low-grade milk replacers to reduce health risks.
• Maintain a proper calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the diet to prevent urinary calculi.
• Test and manage your water quality, especially if using well water.
• Encourage hydration and provide loose minerals for optimal health.

By following these guidelines, you can raise healthy, thriving baby goats while avoiding common pitfalls.