Feeding Kids
Opinions on the best way to feed kids is varied. This is just one idea, we encourage your suggestions.
Birth to 18 hours | Colostrum, 5 times a day - 120mls per feed |
Day 1 to Day 3 | Whole milk, 4 times a day - 225mls per feed |
Day 4 to 1 week | Whole milk, 4 times a day - 225ml increasing to 280mls |
1 week to 3 weeks | Whole milk, 3 times a day - 280mls increasing to 450mls per feed Starter grain (free choice) Lucerne hay Water Salt |
3 weeks to 2 months | Whole milk 3 times a day - 450mls per feed Starter ration - limit to 500g per day Hay Water Salt |
2 months to 4 months | Whole milk, twice a day - 675mls per feed Starter grain Hay Walter Salt |
4 months onwards | Growing ration - up to 500gms a day Hay Water Salt |
It is important that kids receive colostrum at birth. Where possible leave the kid with doe for 8- 12 hours after birth. If doe colostrum is not available cow colostrum is a suitable subsitute. The utmost protection is received if colostrum is fed witint 15 minutes to one hour. From then on, the degree of protection decreases with each passing hour. After 24 hours, the kid's intestine has changed and can no longer absorb the antibodies. Always have some colostrum frozen, just in case.
From week 1 kids should be introduced to a high quality starter ration.
Water needs to be clean and fresh at all times.