Weaning goats

[Mvan42]

My kid goats are 8 weeks old now and are grazing all day. They get a morning and evening bottle 12oz each feeding. Is it to early to wean them? They have hey and a small amount of grower feed and a minerals.

If it isn’t to early how would I wean them. I as thinking of just cutting down their bottle amounts slowly like an oz. a feeding each day until they are down to an oz or two. This is the first time with goats and I can’t remember how we weaned our calves when I was younger. Any advice or options are welcome.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

I love goats. Do you have a picture of them.

 

[Mvan42]

They are big babies, one is trying to lay on m now.

 

[res]

I don't wean any of my kids (bottle babies or dam raised) until 4 months (16 weeks), but I know there is a lot of variance in techniques out there.

 

[Mvan42]

I don't wean any of my kids (bottle babies or dam raised) until 4 months (16 weeks), but I know there is a lot of variance in techniques out there.

Thanks like I said I am new to weaning and am not sure how to tell if or when they are ready.

 

[cassie]

When I had my dairy I weaned my kids at between 8 and 10 weeks but there is no law that says you can't feed them milk longer. I just weaned mine cold turkey. They also got free choice alfalfa hay and some grain. I don't know how much grain you are feeding your kids, but if I were you I would up it a little bit. They look to me to be just slightly on the thin side. Because of that it might be a good idea for you to keep them on milk a little while longer. Since they are on pasture, it might be a good idea to have a fecal run to see if they need worming. If you haven't already done so, vaccinate them with CD/T for tetanus and enterotoxemia. You have nice looking kids.

 

[Mvan42]

When I had my dairy I weaned my kids at between 8 and 10 weeks but there is no law that says you can't feed them milk longer. I just weaned mine cold turkey. They also got free choice alfalfa hay and some grain. I don't know how much grain you are feeding your kids, but if I were you I would up it a little bit. They look to me to be just slightly on the thin side. Because of that it might be a good idea for you to keep them on milk a little while longer. Since they are on pasture, it might be a good idea to have a fecal run to see if they need worming. If you haven't already done so, vaccinate them with CD/T for tetanus and enterotoxemia. You have nice looking kids.

I have worked and vaccinated them.. As for them being under weight these pic were taken before they started grazing in my yard, but they both weigh around 20+ lbs. not sure how much they should weigh at this point. Thy were less than 10 when we got them. How much should they weigh. Now I am worried.

 

[cassie]

I have worked and vaccinated them.. As for them being under weight these pic were taken before they started grazing in my yard, but they both weigh around 20+ lbs. not sure how much they should weigh at this point. Thy were less than 10 when we got them. How much should they weigh. Now I am worried.

Stop worrying!! They look healthy. I can't tell you how much they should weigh. Except for meat kids, I never weighed mine. I just thought they looked a little bony which is why I suggested maybe you keep them on milk a little longer and up the grain a bit. If you increase the grain do it gradually. I suggested having a fecal run because being on pasture increases the risk factors for worms. In any event, your kids are not seriously underweight (if they are underweight at all) and it is better to have them a little on the thin side rather than too fat. I was just trying to be helpful. I didn't mean to give you reason to worry.

 

[Mvan42]

Stop worrying!! They look healthy. I can't tell you how much they should weigh. Except for meat kids, I never weighed mine. I just thought they looked a little bony which is why I suggested maybe you keep them on milk a little longer and up the grain a bit. If you increase the grain do it gradually. I suggested having a fecal run because being on pasture increases the risk factors for worms. In any event, your kids are not seriously underweight (if they are underweight at all) and it is better to have them a little on the thin side rather than too fat. I was just trying to be helpful. I didn't mean to give you reason to worry.

Ok as long as they look healthy. I just worried I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do to keep them happy and healthy. Being a first time caring for kids I wasn't sure. lol I have don't alot of research on caring for them but always like to hear from someone who has or had goats. Thanks for all the help.

 

[ShannonR]

Dairy breeds will often look a bit on the thin side, it's just their nature.

How about cutting them back to one bottle a day for now?