what to feed 6 week old kid

[FarmerChick]

I would leave it with the doe for at least 2 more weeks.
trying to get a 6 week old to bottle feed will be close to impossible. it is in the middle of switching from milk to all hay and feed and it actually should not be pushed either way at this point.

for the sake of the animal, do what is better for it and let it finish its full weaning time at least. even 2 months is kinda pushing it but they are ready for full hay and feed at that time.

also, any kids are good if they are handled from day one, with or without bottle feeding. the longer they are not handled, the harder to bond and get your hands on those suckers when you need to worm or trim hooves etc.

also, many times the personality of the doe will reflect on the kid. I have some does that are so standoffish, want nothing to do with you, and they show that to the kids in their body language. The kids in turn shy away also just like the doe. And even if you do handle them from birth alot, they still just don't like you...LOL

But my does that are perfect natured and love me to death, those babies come right up to me from day 1, stand around, get petted, etc. like the doe. She shows them all is fine with the human and the kids reflect that personality and mimic it.

just chatting about goats, I sure like them!

 

[Haviris]

I agree w/ the others leave it with mom for atleast 2 more weeks. I generally wean 10-12 weeks, occationally alittle earlier if it's a buckling that's acting abit to mature. I wait even longer if it's a doe kid I'm keeping, or a bottle baby.

At this point your not likely to get it on a bottle and would probably just stress it out trying to force it. And chances are getting it now will not help w/ the bonding any more then waiting two weeks. It will really be up to how the breeders have handled it, and it's general personality.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I strongly suggest you leave it with mom for a few more weeks. Especially if you live where it's cold.
This has been said on here hundreds of times, because it's important. Goats are herd animals. You really need to have more than one.
It would be a bad start for the little thing to take it away from mom too soon and keep it in a cold place with no herd mates.
Like someone else mentioned, as long as the mom is friendly, you shouldn't have any trouble getting it to bond with you. Most goats are naturally friendly, but there are some that are genetically standoffish.
Good luck with your little one!

 

[griffin45]

I have two ND's that are stand-offish and one that has to be near me or my wife. The doe that is stand-offish just freshened and her kid ignores her and heads for me of my wife the minute we go in the pen. We also hold the kid for a few minutes everyday... what ever works.