Congratulations on Your New Nigerian Dwarf Goat!

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Thank you for choosing a bottle baby from Ebenezer Farms! We’re honored you’ve trusted us with your newest family member. Our kids are raised with daily care, proper nutrition, and lots of love to give them the very best start in life. This guide will help your new goat transition smoothly into its new home.

 

Feeding

Bottle Feeding

At Ebenezer Farms, our bottle babies are started on a schedule of four feedings per day:

• 8:00 AM

• 12:00 PM

• 4:00 PM

• 8:00 PM

During the first few days after birth or when adjusting to bottle feeding, we monitor each kid closely to ensure they are receiving enough milk. Every kid is different, so we don’t rely solely on ounces—we evaluate each goat individually.

After every feeding, gently feel your kid’s belly. It should feel comfortably full and slightly firm, but never tight or overly distended. Overfeeding can cause digestive upset and can be just as harmful as underfeeding. Some kids will stop nursing when they’re full, while others will continue sucking long after they’ve had enough, so it’s important not to let appetite alone determine how much they receive.

Always feed milk warm (approximately 100–103°F) using clean, sanitized bottles and nipples.

 

Birth to 2 Weeks

Feed 4 bottles per day, gradually increasing each feeding to approximately 4–6 ounces by the end of the second week.

By the third day, begin offering:

• Fresh, clean water

• High-quality hay

• Loose goat minerals

These early introductions help develop a healthy rumen, even though milk remains their primary source of nutrition.

 

Weeks 3–4

Increase bottle feedings to approximately 6–8 ounces per feeding, continuing 4 feedings per day through the third week.

If your kid is:

• Eating hay well

• Growing appropriately

• Healthy and energetic

You can begin transitioning to 3 bottles per day:

• 8:00 AM

• 2:00 PM

• 8:00 PM

If the weather is especially cold, your kid is smaller than average, or you have any concerns about growth or health, continue feeding four bottles per day for another week. Every kid develops at a different pace, so always let the individual goat—not just its age—guide your feeding schedule.

 

Weeks 5–6

Continue feeding 3 bottles per day:

• 8:00 AM

• 2:00 PM

• 8:00 PM

By this age, kids should be eating hay, nibbling grain, drinking water, and spending time grazing or browsing with the herd when appropriate.

If your kid is thriving, growing well, and consistently eating solid food, you may reduce to 2 bottles per day during week six:

• 8:00 AM

• 8:00 PM

If growth, weather, illness, stress, or any other concerns arise, continue three bottles per day until your kid is ready.

 

Weeks 7 Through Weaning

By the beginning of week 7, most kids can transition to one bottle per day.

Bottle babies at Ebenezer Farms are generally weaned around 8 weeks of age, provided they are:

• Eating hay well

• Consuming grain regularly

• Drinking water independently

• Maintaining healthy weight gain

• Growing similarly to dam-raised kids

Some owners choose to continue bottle feeding beyond 8 weeks, which is perfectly acceptable if milk is available. However, kids should receive milk until at least 8 weeks of age for proper development.

 

How to Reduce Bottle Feedings

There are two acceptable methods:

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Gradual Reduction

Reduce the amount of milk in one feeding for several days before removing that feeding from the schedule.

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Remove One Feeding

If your kid is healthy, growing well, and eating solid feed consistently, you may simply eliminate one bottle from the daily schedule.

Whichever method you choose, make sure your kid always has unlimited access to hay, fresh water, loose goat minerals, and appropriate grain to replace the nutrients previously supplied by milk.

Remember: Every bottle baby is different. Weather, stress, illness, growth rate, and appetite all affect how quickly a kid is ready to reduce bottles or wean. It’s usually better to keep a healthy kid on bottles a little longer than to wean too early.

 

Hay

Provide high-quality grass hay or alfalfa hay at all times. Young kids will begin nibbling hay within their first week of life, which helps develop a healthy rumen.

 

Fresh Water

Fresh, clean water should always be available—even for bottle babies.

 

Grain

Introduce a quality goat starter grain as your kid begins eating solid feed. Start with small amounts and gradually increase as they grow.

 

Minerals

Provide a loose goat mineral formulated specifically for goats. Loose minerals are much easier for goats to consume than mineral blocks and help support healthy growth, immune function, and overall health.

 

Housing

Provide your goat with:

• A clean, dry shelter protected from wind, rain, and snow

• Plenty of clean bedding

• Good ventilation without drafts

• Secure fencing to prevent escapes and protect from predators

Goats are herd animals and should always have another goat companion whenever possible. A lonely goat is rarely a happy goat.

 

Health Care

Check your kid every day for signs of illness.

Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

• Loss of appetite

• Persistent diarrhea (scours)

• Fever

• Coughing

• Nasal discharge

• Difficulty breathing

• Weakness or extreme lethargy

Routine hoof trimming, parasite management, and vaccinations should be discussed with your veterinarian based on your location and management practices.

 

Preventing Pneumonia

Young kids are sensitive to stress and sudden environmental changes.

To help reduce the risk of respiratory illness:

• Avoid sudden temperature extremes.

• Keep bedding clean and dry.

• Provide good ventilation while avoiding drafts.

• During travel, avoid blowing air conditioning directly on your goat.

• Reduce stress during transportation and when introducing your kid to a new environment.

Watch for coughing, nasal discharge, fever, rapid breathing, or lethargy, and contact your veterinarian if these symptoms develop.

 

Common Health Issues

Scours (Diarrhea)

Can be caused by overfeeding, sudden feed changes, stress, or illness. Keep your kid hydrated and contact your veterinarian if diarrhea persists.

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Bloat

A swollen abdomen, discomfort, or difficulty breathing may indicate bloat and requires immediate veterinary attention.

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Weakness

If your kid refuses bottles, becomes weak, or seems unusually quiet, seek veterinary advice promptly.

 

Supplies We Recommend

Before bringing your kid home, we recommend having:

• ✓ Goat milk replacer (if bottle feeding)

• ✓ Bottles and nipples

• ✓ High-quality hay

• ✓ Goat starter grain

• ✓ Loose goat minerals

• ✓ Fresh water bucket

• ✓ Livestock thermometer

• ✓ Electrolytes

• ✓ Basic first-aid supplies

• ✓ Hoof trimmers (for future maintenance)

 

Helpful Tips

• Spend time with your goat every day to build trust.

• Handle your kid gently and frequently.

• Goats love climbing toys, logs, rocks, and enrichment.

• Keep feeding routines consistent.

• Observe your goat daily so you’ll notice changes quickly.

• Never leave a goat by itself—they thrive with another goat companion.

 

We’re Here to Help

Purchasing a goat from Ebenezer Farms means you’re part of our farm family. If you ever have questions about feeding, housing, health care, or general goat management, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love seeing our bottle babies thrive in their new homes and are always happy to help.

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Ebenezer Farms
Preston, Idaho

📧 info@ebenezerfarms.com
🌐 www.ebenezerfarms.com

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We wish you many happy years with your new Nigerian Dwarf goat!