Q&A on Bottle vs Dam Raising Dairy Goat Kids

In this tutorial a newbie goat owner asks an experienced dairy goat breeder on the pros and cons of bottle raising vs. dam raising kids. Why do it? Which style is the noisiest? Which is the least stressful? Will I get any milk for myself if I dam raise the kids? What about combination or hybrid raising? We cover all of that and more plus a few tips and tricks.
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This tutorial is supported by:
Sharon Keller
Rachel Skinner
Lazy 8 Acres
Raising Arrows Ranch
Fleetside Farms
The Sage Hound
Clancy
HooperLee Farm
Anatevka Farm
Spotted Acres Farm
Valerie Smrtic

[@homestatzfarmher8919]

Great interview! Always good to hear what options are out there with regards to raising goat kids. Everyone’s goals are different (noise for suburban farm, milk for consumption, show goats etc. ) so it’s nice that there are options that can work for all! Thanks Westi and good luck Rachel! 🐐💜🐐💜🐐💜

[@mirandagunter2923]

Loved this Q&A. Very informative!!

[@goldfireplays3283]

Is it possible to milk some of the dam milk out when she is a FF with a singleton? To avoid being lopsided and to increase her production. Also, does the amount of milk that the dam produces depend on the number of babies that came out of her body or the demand that is acting upon her milk supply?

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

Great questions! If I had a doe with a single getting a lopsided udder, yes, I would milk out the side the kid is not nursing from to even her up. The kid will often prefer the side with the larger orifice. To answer your second question, the number of kids she had will definitely affect her milk production! A doe with quads will outproduce a doe with a single kid. I never expect a great lactation from a doe with a single kid. But conversely, don't assume a doe with a large litter can fully feed all of her kids without assistance. Also keep in mind that a first freshening doe typically has a modest lactation, which will improve with further lactations.

[@goldfireplays3283]

@@twinpeartutorials8840 Ah thank you so much!

[@lorimiller5574]

How would a person go about doing a milk test if the kids are going to be dam raised?

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

We frequently dam raise and do milk test. I separate the kids the night before milk test day (12 hours before I plan to do AM milking). If they are at least 2-3 weeks old with a good start on solid foods, they'll be fine without milk for 24 hours. Alternately, you can offer them bottles during milk test day. As soon as the PM portion of milk test is complete, I reunite kids with their dams.