Kidding and kid management: Ensuring a strong start in goat farming
Successful goat farming begins with how well you manage your newborn kids. The first few hours after birth are critical,they determine not only the survival of the kid but also its long-term health and productivity.
Proper feeding, hygiene and care during this stage lay the foundation for a healthy and profitable goat herd.
The Importance of colostrum feeding
Colostrum, often called the “first milk,” is the thick, yellowish fluid produced by the mother (doe) immediately after giving birth. It is not ordinary milk,it is rich in antibodies, vitamins, minerals and energy that help the newborn build immunity.
A newborn kid should consume colostrum within the first two hours of birth because its body absorbs antibodies best during this period. The first 24 hours after birth are known as the golden window for immunity. After this period, the kid’s gut loses the ability to absorb these vital antibodies effectively.
Without colostrum, the kid’s immune system remains weak, leaving it vulnerable to infections, pneumonia and diarrhea. Farmers should therefore ensure that every kid suckles soon after birth. In cases where the mother is weak, has mastitis or refuses to nurse, the farmer should hand-feed the kid using a clean bottle or syringe. Always warm the colostrum to body temperature before feeding.
If you have several does giving birth around the same time, it’s a good idea to store extra colostrum in a refrigerator or freezer. This can be lifesaving for orphaned or weak kids who cannot access their mother’s milk.
Bottle feeding versus dam raising
When it comes to feeding and raising goat kids, there are two main methods: dam raising (natural suckling) and bottle feeding (artificial rearing). Each method has its pros and cons and the choice depends on your farm’s management goals, labor and disease control plans.
Dam Raising (Natural Suckling)
In this method, kids stay with their mothers and feed directly from them.
Advantages:
- Natural feeding requires less human labor.
- Kids grow faster in the early weeks due to frequent suckling.
- It strengthens the bond between the doe and the kid.
Disadvantages:
- Farmers have little control over how much milk the kid consumes.
- It becomes difficult to monitor each kid’s feeding habits.
- There’s a higher risk of disease transmission between the doe and the kid.
- Milk production for sale or processing is reduced since kids consume most of it.
Dam raising works well for small herds or farmers who prioritize natural systems over milk collection.
Bottle Feeding (Artificial Rearing)
In this method, kids are separated from their mothers shortly after birth and fed with bottles or feeding buckets.
Advantages:
- Farmers can control how much milk each kid gets.
- It’s easier to detect health problems early since feeding is monitored.
- Reduces the spread of diseases such as caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE).
- More milk can be collected for sale or cheese making.
Disadvantages:
- Requires strict hygiene and more time for cleaning bottles and mixing milk.
- Kids must be fed on schedule, usually 3–4 times a day in the first few weeks.
Bottle feeding is ideal for medium to large-scale goat farms with proper facilities and staff.
General care tips for newborn kids
Beyond feeding, several management practices ensure kids grow healthy and strong:
- Clean the navel cord with iodine immediately after birth to prevent infections.
- Keep kids warm and dry, especially in cold or wet weather.
- Provide clean bedding and disinfect kidding pens regularly.
- Weigh the kids to monitor growth rates weekly.
- Introduce solid feed gradually after two weeks to promote rumen development.
Good kid management is the foundation of a successful goat farming enterprise. Ensuring that kids receive colostrum within the first few hours, maintaining hygiene and choosing the right rearing method can significantly improve survival rates and productivity. Healthy kids grow into strong, disease-resistant goats that enhance the profitability and sustainability of your farm.
By giving your newborn kids the best possible start, you set the stage for a thriving and rewarding goat farming business.
