The Goat Care & Bottle Feeding Handbook

Whether you are raising bottle babies, starting your first backyard herd, or learning goat basics, this guide covers the foundational care practices that help goats stay healthy and thrive.

Understanding Goats

• Goats are herd animals—never keep only one.

• Goats are browsers and prefer leaves, brush, weeds, and hay over short grass.

• Goats are intelligent, curious, and require secure fencing.

Preparing Before Bringing Goats Home

• Shelter should stay dry with good airflow and protection from wind.

• Plan separate areas for quarantine, kidding, and sick animals.

• Provide feeders off the ground to reduce waste and contamination.

• Stock: hay, minerals, water buckets, thermometer, hoof trimmers, bottles, electrolytes.

Bottle Feeding Baby Goats

• Use milk replacer specifically labeled for goat kids or whole goat milk. Vitamin D whole cows milk is often used if the kid will not take the goat specific milk replacer.

• Warm milk to approximately body temperature.

• Feed standing upright with head in natural nursing position.

• Never squeeze milk into the mouth.

• Clean bottles and nipples after every feeding.

General Bottle Feeding Rhythm

• Birth–1 week: We feed frequent small feedings. We do usually every 2 to 4 hours & adjust according to how much milk the kid is taking. Te smaller the amount of milk taken, the more often you will need to feed. Kids must receive colostrum for the first 24 hours after birth for optimal health.

• 1–3 weeks: We feed 4 to 6 times daily, aiming for 4 to 6 ounces per feeding. You can stop feeding overnight at this point, but don't go longer than 8 hours without a feeding.

• 3–8 weeks: We feed 3 times daily, increasing the amount to 8 to 12 ounces per feeding & start offering small amounts of goat feed/grain/hay.

• 8–12 weeks (Weaning): Reduce to bottle feedings to 2 times daily to encourage them to eat more solid food, eventually going down to 1 feeding a day in week 10 before completely weaning them off milk.

Don't Forget:

• Offer water and hay early to encourage rumen development.

• Wean gradually—avoid abrupt transitions.

Newborn Kid Care

• Ensure kids nurse or receive colostrum promptly after birth.

• Keep newborns warm and dry.

• Monitor temperature and nursing vigor.

• Watch for dehydration and diarrhea.

Daily Adult Goat Care

• Check appetite, energy, rumen fill, manure, and mobility.

• Supply clean water at all times.

• Provide quality forage; adjust feed for growth, pregnancy, or milk production.

• Offer loose minerals formulated for goats.

• Observe interactions—sudden isolation can signal illness.

Goat Nutrition Basics

• Forage should be the foundation of the diet.

• Introduce feed changes gradually over several days.

• Use treats sparingly.

• Learn body condition scoring to avoid over- or under-feeding.

Common Health Concerns

• Parasites: pale eyelids, poor weight gain, diarrhea.

• Respiratory illness: cough, discharge, breathing difficulty.

• Bloat: swollen left side and discomfort—seek veterinary help.

• Urinary issues in males require prompt veterinary attention.

Hoof Care

• Trim every 4–8 weeks depending on growth.

• Avoid letting toes curl.

• Dry footing supports hoof health.

Signs a Goat Needs Attention

• Not eating

• Isolating from herd

• Grinding teeth

• Labored breathing

• Persistent diarrhea

• Unable to stand

• Severe bloating

Basic Goat Supply List

• Hay feeder

• Loose minerals

• Water buckets

• Hoof trimmers

• Bottle supplies

• Electrolytes

• First aid kit

• Record keeping notebook

Disclaimer: This handout is educational and does not replace veterinary care. Feeding amounts and management vary by breed, age, climate, and production goals.

Veterinarys that treat goats in our area:

Annemal Veterinary Consulting (Herd checks/Farm Visits)

(254) 978-3055

Email at doctoranne19@gmail.com

Alvarado Veterinary Clinic

(817) 783-2257

6800 US-67, Alvarado, TX 76009