goats' milk for bottle Jerseys

Lizi · #1 05/09/07, 09:23 AM

I am getting three Jersey bottle babies soon and wonder if I can feed goats' milk to them instead of powdered calf milk. Do I cut it 50/50 with water as it is so rich? How can I do this? I heard that Manna Pro UniMilk had a recall, and since I have so much goats milk I would like to utilize that instead. Thanks for the help.

dezeeuwgoats · #2 05/09/07, 10:16 AM

I've used goat's milk to raise 2 bottle calves - worked great! I used it 'as is' - not sure about diluting it. You'll have to wait for someone with more experience to respond.

Niki

arcticow · #3 05/09/07, 01:24 PM

Goat milk is not "richer' than cow milk. Fat globules are a different size, Alpines run a 3%+ fat test, just like Holstein cows. DON'T cut it with water until calves are at least 6 weeks. Have raised goat kids just fine on calf replacer mixed to Jersey specs. Sheep milk is way higher in fat. Good luck.

ozark_jewels · #4 05/09/07, 08:42 PM

It works great and don't dilute it with water. Diluting it with water makes it difficult to digest. Just switch them over *slowly*.

Lizi · #5 05/10/07, 06:14 AM

Thanks all who replied! I thought it strange to dilute it right from the start, it defeats the purpose! Can't wait to get them Monday. Things in Michigan are really in bad shape, I was told that these boys will cost $15-$20 each, a far cry from what I paid two years ago ($200 and $300 each.)

Gracielou · #6 05/10/07, 08:53 AM

Used to raise a lot of baby calves and most on goat's milk. Works great! I wouldn't dilute it for at least a month. I did have some problem with a few of the calves getting constipated but you can add a tablespoon or so of light Karo syrup to the milk and that will help. Good luck with your new babies

Middle River · #7 05/10/07, 09:27 AM

Wow i wish i could get one or two of those calves ! Any Chance they are avialible in WI ? I've been trying to find 1-2 jersey bottle babies ( even a different breed or cross ) but can't find any close enough for a good price :+(

topside1 · #8 05/10/07, 12:47 PM

The only reason to dilute would be if you didn't have enough straight goats milk to go around. I'm feeding two holstein bull calves at a 2/3rd milk to 1/3 water and I've got to tell ya these are the happiest healthest boys I've ever raised. Milk replacer, never again.

Donna from Mo · #9 05/10/07, 04:33 PM

Good grief, people in other parts of the country sure do find some cheap calves! Lucky you.

devdragon33 · #10 05/10/07, 07:41 PM

Every time we have tried that they have scoured. We have always cut it down. half and half. If they handle that you can bump it up but every farmer around here has said to cut it in half and that it is to rich. We have raised about 20 calves on that. We feed 3 bottles a day like that.

china glass · #11 05/11/07, 01:31 PM

I bought jersey calves for $2.00 ea last year. almost had to give them away.
No one wanted thm as they grow slow and are too small.

Donna from Mo · #12 05/11/07, 05:15 PM

I wish I knew someplace to get one; all I want is a steer for a companion for my heifer calf, so I don't want to spend much. Of course we'd butcher it eventually. Maybe I'd better call a couple of Jersey dairies not far away!

ozark_jewels · #13 05/11/07, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna from Mo

I wish I knew someplace to get one; all I want is a steer for a companion for my heifer calf, so I don't want to spend much. Of course we'd butcher it eventually. Maybe I'd better call a couple of Jersey dairies not far away!

Do! Thats where we get ours from. We paid $80-$120 for Holstien bull calves and $40-$100 for Jersey bull calves this year. Market is all over right now so each farmer asks what he wants for them. Jerseys make great eatin'!!

Lizi · #14 05/19/07, 09:04 PM

Well. What a learning experience the auction was. I knew enough not to get the one with the broken shoulder or the two that looked like they were hours old. I got two, things were fine but I mentioned to my son when I came into the house that our other cows did not "smell" like that and wrote it off to being in the auction barn with lots of smells there. The next day the little one had bloody scours. He was just going down hill fast, would not suck, could hardly hold his head up. I got Re-Sorb for him and it was like flipping a switch--he drank a whole half gallon right down, where before it took an hour and a half to feed him two cups of goats milk. Tonight was feeding #5, where it is mixed 50/50 with milk and he just loved it. Ran around with the other one afterwards.