How do I correctly wean the babies?

Jillis · #1 12/29/05, 06:34 AM

There have been different snippets of advice about weaning babies on various threads. Could you experienced people please give us the lowdown on exactly how to wean baby goats and why you do it the way you do?
That time is rapidly approaching for me and I would appreciate the benefit of your wisdom, as I am sure many other newbies would!
Thanks in advance!
Blessings, Jillis1

Teacupliz · #2 12/29/05, 06:37 AM

I cut to once a day. Instead of feeding bottles I take them for a hike or out to run and play. At times a cracker treats. They get over it in a few days.
Or feed a water bottle instead.
Liz

Misty · #3 12/29/05, 06:38 AM

I have a weaning pen that is off from the does. We put the does in the pen far from that and the babies in the weaning pen. I never cut water, but Ido cut feed drastically on the does. If they are getting corn with their roughage, I stop that, lot's of hag gets reduced to a little. The highter nutrients they have, the more milk they will make and the longer they will be in drying up and they will brecome miserable. So I just stop the nursing. So does several others I know who have several. Some say to milk a little out gradually. You can't do that on more than one or two head. I have my babies on creep for a long time before they are weaned, so they cry for a couple of days. They goat raspy and horse, they will eat if they get hungry and the other goats teach them.

mary,tx · #4 12/29/05, 08:48 AM

You're bottle feeding, right? If you are still bottling three times a day, drop the mid-day bottle first. I like to wait until after they are nibbling grain pretty good to wean them, then they don't miss the bottles so much. Cut back to one bottle a day for a week or two, then drop that.

Jillis · #5 12/29/05, 11:53 AM

I am bottle feeding lamb & kid milk replacer twice a day.
ALL the babies are eating LOTS of hay and most of them are eating grain as well.
I'll start cutting the nighttime feeding in a week or so...that way the youngest baby will be at least 8 weeks old...

We have the babies out every warm day...we had them out today, it was so much fun! The Nigerian Dwarf climbed through a fence square though, after my dd went to look for eggs...so I still can't leave them unattended outside with the big girls...

goatkid · #6 12/29/05, 01:08 PM

When I was feeding milk replacer the first year I raised goats, I weaned the kids at 8 weeks old. Now that I feed my bottle babies pasteurized goat milk, I bottle feed to 3 months old because generally, my bottle babies are the doelings I plan to show and I like good growth on them for show. By this time, they are eating their hay and grain well and are only getting 2 bottles a day. I cut back to once a day for a week, putting a copuple ounces less in the bottle the last couple of days. My bottle babies always have water available so they are drinking well by weaning time.

Jillis · #7 12/29/05, 10:08 PM

Sounds like a plan!