Hand-raising baby farm animals, especially goat kids or lambs, pygmy and miniature breeds, can have its own challenges. The average goat kid weighs between five and eight pounds, and the average lamb weighs eight to twelve pounds. However, pygmy goats, and tiny sheep breeds, like the Soay, are two to five pounds at birth. This necessitates different equipment for their needs than the standard-sized kid or lamb.
Baby Farm Animals: Feeding Time
Bottle Brainteasers
When caring for these small-breed ruminants, the most immediate concern is feeding. The artificial nipples available for “bottle babies” are often too big for the tiniest of mouths. The “one size fits all” nipples that can be purchased to fit a soda bottle are likely to dispense milk too quickly for these babies and can choke them or result in overfeeding. With some breeds, this can be overcome by using a needle in the tip, rather than cutting it. However, some newborns are unable to suckle strongly enough for this to be helpful. This is especially true if the animal is being hand-raised because of birthing difficulties. Colostrum is also often too thick for this to be helpful, especially if sheep breeds.
Think Outside the Species
Milk bottles designed for puppies can be an option. They hold about two ounces of milk, making them a good size for newborn ruminants. These too can have some issues with newborns having enough suckle strength but can be an inexpensive option.
Another choice can be to simply get human infant bottles. Sterile bottles are just as important for lambs and kids as they are for human young, and newborns need to be fed every 2-3 hours, so having several available is a wise idea. Inexpensive options can be found at most dollar stores, so bottles can be rotated, for little cost. Our local dollar store, for instance, has a pack of three infant bottles for $3.50, while livestock nipples are $7.99 each at the livestock big box store.
Baby Farm Animals: Indoor Living
Kids or lambs may have attentive mothers who just require help with feeding time. However, in other cases, they may need to be brought inside. This can be complicated for a family with pets or children, but a basic Pack-N-Play can keep them separated from curious noses or tiny hands. Also, keeping it next to your bed makes midnight feeding a lot easier!
A playpen with a liquid-proof bottom can also help you keep an eye on babies during the day.
If you prefer free-range kids in the house, human baby diapers can be useful for ewe lambs and doelings. The sizes will not work the same – with the difference in body shapes, a smaller size will often be needed. If you have a seven-pound lamb, for instance, you will likely need to continue using preemie-size diapers, even though they are only rated to six pounds.
For males, human diapers don’t come forward far enough to catch urine but can be used for feces. Small dog breed belly bands are often available online, however, and can do the trick. Just remember though, goats will be goats – at any age – and excel at making a mess!
Hand-Raising Baby Farm Animals: Final Touches
For those interested in eventually showing your bottle baby, using them for pulling, or even just halter training, the younger they start, the easier it will be. However, small goat or sheep halters are often too wide across the nose for some tiny breeds. Heritage breeds, especially, tend to have much narrower faces. However, alpacas have equally narrow faces. For all their tall size, small and extra small halters will often work better for miniature breed goats and sheep.
This article about hand-raising baby farm animals was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
