The first three days after birth are the most critical days in the life of a newborn kid. You may separate the kid from the doe immediately, or you may leave the kid with its mother. If you separate the kid, you should make sure that the kid receives colostrum for the first three days of its life. Colostrum is the very first secretion of the mammary glands. It is very nutritious and contains high levels of protein, milk solids, globulins, fats and vitamin A. Most important, it contains antibodies against the diseases to which the doe has immunity. It is critical to feed colostrum for the first three days for maximum protection against disease because the absorption of these antibodies disappears after three days.

Kids should nurse as long as possible or until weaned. If a mother rejects the kid/s, colostrum should be fed three times a day, a total of 2 to 3 pints daily. Try to find a nursing doe to adopt the kid/s as soon as possible. After three days, feed the orphan kid/s milk or milk replacer twice daily not to exceed three pints per day. When using milk replacer, follow the directions for feeding. Increase the milk replacer gradually if you decide to use it. Feeding milk or milk replacer could continue up to 8-12 weeks or up to the time kids are weaned or are able to consume .5 to1 lb. of grain mix (kid starter, a grain mix with higher fiber content) daily.

You should provide a grain mix containing high levels of protein (16%) and high levels of fiber (11%) as well as good quality hay from the first week to encourage rumen development.

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Feeding Practices