A goat kid that does not feed from its mother needs colostrum within the first hours, and after that a fixed routine with milk, warmth and clean equipment. This collection contains the equipment to get through those first weeks well: feeding bottles, separate teats, lamb bars for several kids at once, a colostrum meter and heat lamps. Most of it is made for lambs and goat kids alike, such as the teats and Excellent Enerfit lamb/goat.
Bottle or lamb bar: choose by number of kids
| Situation | What works in practice |
|---|---|
| One or two kids | A 500 ml (KS) or 1000 ml (flexi) feeding bottle, or a lamb teat on your own bottle |
| A handful of kids | Several bottles in a lamb bottle rack for five 500 ml bottles |
| Larger group | A double-sided lamb bar, possibly with protectors on the teats |
With a bottle, you see exactly how much each kid drinks. A lamb bar saves time, but means you have to keep a closer eye on the weaker kids. Non-return valves and separate teats are available separately, so you can replace a worn part without replacing the whole feeder.
Measuring colostrum and getting started
Not all colostrum is equally rich. A colostrum meter, standard or as a refractometer, tells you before you freeze or feed it whether the colostrum is worth it. If the mother's own colostrum falls short, top up with Colstart Plus. If a kid does not drink by itself at first, a stomach tube helps, for example the Shoof Trusti Tuber; ask your vet to show you how to insert it once.
Points to note
Excellent lamb milk is made for lambs; check on the label whether it is also intended for goat kids before you use it. A heat lamp belongs at a safe height, out of reach of curious goats and well away from dry straw. Wash bottles and teats after every feed; milk residue is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Explore further: the rest of the goat section is under everything for your goats. For a strong start, minerals and licks and health care matter too, and keeping hooves trimmed starts young via hoof care. Set up a spacious kid pen with supplies from housing and feeding.
Frequently asked questions
Which teat fits an ordinary bottle?
For a beer bottle there are matching lamb teats in yellow-brown and in red; if you want a screw fitting, choose the teat with screw cap.
What is a lamb bar?
A feeder with several teats, so a small group of kids can drink at the same time. Non-return valves keep the milk in the tube.
How do I know if colostrum is good enough?
You measure the quality with a colostrum meter or refractometer. That way you know which colostrum to keep and when topping up is wise.