How Much Milk to Feed?

Pony · #1 04/12/10, 03:14 PM

Yes, I'm a slow learner.

No, I couldn't find the answer when I did a search.

That said, how much am I supposed to be feeding the kids?

Here's the situation:

The kids are about 3 weeks old. All 4 are on the bottle and on the doe. I supplement with a mix of cow's milk and doe's milk.

They stay in the Kid Room at night (next door to their mom).

I feed them first thing in the morning, milk the doe, and then let them all hang out for the day. The doe gives me between 3 quarts and a gallon each morning.

I feed the kids again at about 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. Each kid eats (on average) 20 oz. Don't know how much they're getting from the doe, but her bag is pliable when I go out there.

The kids certainly go for the bottles when I bring them out there, but they're not ravenously attacking me, either.

Everyone looks pretty hale and hearty. It's a bit warmish today, so they're not bouncing around, but neither are they dull or listless.

The doe is VERY full in the morning.

Anything I could/should be doing differently? Do you think everyone is gettig what they need?

(Yes, this is my first time handling kids. How could you tell?)

TIA!

Heritagefarm · #2 04/12/10, 03:27 PM

Sounds like you're doing just fine!

If not, well, take heart in knowing that if you're doing anything wrong, they'll just drop dead! Oh, no, wait, that's sheep. Never mind!

Pony · #3 04/12/10, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heritagefarm

Sounds like you're doing just fine!

If not, well, take heart in knowing that if you're doing anything wrong, they'll just drop dead! Oh, no, wait, that's sheep. Never mind!

LOL! Yeah, I've read that there are only two kinds of sheep: The quick and the dead. (No offense to sheep owners -- just sayin' what I've read!)

Heritagefarm · #4 04/12/10, 04:42 PM

How about: Alive and dead. They don't like anything in between. Either they're alive and healthy, or they're dead.

rnmom23 · #5 04/12/10, 05:06 PM

Sorry, I couldn't get past the part where you said you're getting a gallon each morning. Too jealous... AND she's feeding 3 kids?

Only getting a quart from mine...

shiandpete.1 · #6 04/12/10, 05:51 PM

Sounds like you see doing everything right! As for sheep...now I am scared DD just purchased 2 market lambs!

Heritagefarm · #7 04/12/10, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiandpete.1

Sounds like you see doing everything right! As for sheep...now I am scared DD just purchased 2 market lambs!

LOL... Don't worry. I was exaggerating.

jil101ca · #8 04/12/10, 07:06 PM

Now keep in mind that I am far from an expert but this is what I would do with 3 week old kids....I would at 3 weeks wean out the 11am and 3pm bottles, sounds like mom has enough for them during the day. I would be offering them some concentrate plus hay of course.

Pony · #9 04/12/10, 07:57 PM

@HeritageFarm: I thought "quick" meant very much alive. <shrug> Time to look that up in my Funk and Wagnalls!

@rnmom23, it's not always a gallon. It's between 3 qts and a gallon. I'm supplementing all four kids.

@shiandpete: Don't worry, we were just exaggerating. A bit.

@jil101ca: They have been dipping into Trub's concentrates, and eating some hay as well. Although her coat is shiny, the doe is looking a might thin to my eye, so I'm a little concerned with cutting out 2 of the bottles. OTOH, I'm getting tired of the bottle feeding, so maybe the 3 p.m. can go.

Heritagefarm · #10 04/12/10, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

@shiandpete: Don't worry, we were just exaggerating. A bit.

Yes... A little...

jil101ca · #11 04/13/10, 05:59 AM

I am assuming that Trub was de-wormed

How much does she get for concentrates?

Pony · #12 04/13/10, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jil101ca

I am assuming that Trub was de-wormed

How much does she get for concentrates?

Oh, yeah, she's still a little miffed at me for giving her the nasty purple stuff. (Don't blame her - yuck!)

She gets 3 pounds of concentrates a day. Free choice hay and alfalfa pellets.

Shiny coat, good appetite, skinny as Callista Flockhart -- except for the big mammary glands.

Heritagefarm · #13 04/13/10, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Shiny coat, good appetite, skinny as Callista Flockhart -- except for the big mammary glands.

All dairy goats seem to be skinny. Even fat, possibly even overwheight ones still don't have much on the hips.

Pony · #14 04/13/10, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heritagefarm

All dairy goats seem to be skinny. Even fat, possibly even overwheight ones still don't have much on the hips.

If it was just her hips, I wouldn't be concerned. The skinniness goes up her spine halfway to her shoulders. She wasn't this thin last year, but then, I got her in May and she kidded in Feb (or was it March?)

ANYway, I guess I'll just keep an eye on things as long as she's healthy in every other way.

shiandpete.1 · #15 04/13/10, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Shiny coat, good appetite, skinny as Callista Flockhart -- except for the big mammary glands.

I just snorted! Trub would be the envy of all the Hollywood divas then!

I spoke to lambs Percy and Woody and told them to behave, grow good and not die without warning. Lol

ozark_jewels · #16 04/13/10, 10:39 AM

Sounds like you are doing fine.

I don't feed any kids more than three feedings a day after they get their colostrum(and these are kids that do not run with momma during the day!), so I agree, I'd make it easier on myself and cut out one feeding.
You could up Trubs concentrates a bit, just don't up the amount of sweet feed she is getting. Not sure what you are feeding, but make sure there is some corn or BOSS for the fat(but not too much). You could also try feeding some shredded beet pulp. Don't worry, most does who are milking well are thinner......just make sure her colour is good, eyes bright and a good appetite.
At that age, my kids have free-choice grains, alfalfa hay(or pellets), mineral and water. Of course you can't do that if they are with momma, but you could put it out for them in their night pen if you haven't already.

Pony · #17 04/13/10, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

Sounds like you are doing fine.

I don't feed any kids more than three feedings a day after they get their colostrum(and these are kids that do not run with momma during the day!), so I agree, I'd make it easier on myself and cut out one feeding.
You could up Trubs concentrates a bit, just don't up the amount of sweet feed she is getting. Not sure what you are feeding, but make sure there is some corn or BOSS for the fat(but not too much). You could also try feeding some shredded beet pulp. Don't worry, most does who are milking well are thinner......just make sure her colour is good, eyes bright and a good appetite.
At that age, my kids have free-choice grains, alfalfa hay(or pellets), mineral and water. Of course you can't do that if they are with momma, but you could put it out for them in their night pen if you haven't already.

THAT'S what I was looking for! (Got it from Susie, too, when I couldn't reach you... Yes, I'm neurotic, but you already knew that.)

I picked up some BOSS today. Sweet feed is about 1/4 to 1/3 of her concentrates (I think Nick is a bit heavy-handed with it when he feeds...)

Less milk, more solids, and that keeps me from worrying so darned much. I hate feeling incompetent, so all the help you give me is ENORMOUSLY appreciated!

mrs.H · #18 04/14/10, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

@HeritageFarm: I thought "quick" meant very much alive. <shrug> Time to look that up in my Funk and Wagnalls!

Quick does mean alive. It's an old English or Biblical term. I have an 1828 Noah Webster dictionary. (Very helpful when reading KJV!)

It also means fast and other normal modern day definitions.