Sheep can absolutely drink raw goat milk, and it’s one of the best substitutes available when a ewe rejects her lamb or dies during lambing. Goat milk is closer in composition to sheep milk than cow milk is, making it easier on a lamb’s digestive system.
Can sheep drink raw goats milk?
Yes, sheep can drink raw goat milk safely. Many farmers who keep both goats and sheep rely on their milking does to feed orphaned lambs every kidding and lambing season.
Goat milk has a fat and protein profile that’s much closer to ewe milk than cow milk. Puppies can also have goat milk as a foster milk substitute for the same digestibility reasons.
This matters because a lamb’s stomach is built to handle a specific type of milk, and the closer you can match it, the fewer digestive problems you’ll deal with.
Bottle feeding orphan lambs with goat milk
Warm the milk to body temperature, around 101 degrees Fahrenheit, before offering it in a lamb bottle with a Pritchard teat. Newborn lambs need to eat every three to four hours for the first week of life.
Feed small amounts at each session rather than stuffing the lamb full. Overfeeding is the fastest way to cause scours in a bottle lamb, and cleaning up after a scouring lamb is no fun for anybody.
Sheep and goats can eat bread as a treat once they’re weaned, but only in small amounts.
As the lamb grows, gradually space out feedings. By two weeks old, most lambs can go four to five hours between bottles, and by four weeks they’re usually down to three feedings per day.
Nutritional benefits for sheep
Raw goat milk contains easily digestible fats and proteins along with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D. These nutrients support bone growth, immune function, and healthy weight gain in growing lambs.
The natural probiotics found in raw goat milk also help establish a healthy gut in young lambs. Rottweilers and other dogs benefit from the same probiotics in goat milk.
A lamb with good gut bacteria is less likely to develop scours and will absorb nutrients from solid feed more efficiently as it transitions off milk.
Transitioning sheep off goat milk
Lambs shouldn’t stay on milk forever. Start offering small amounts of creep feed alongside the goat milk around two weeks of age so they begin nibbling on solid food.
If you keep both species, learning whether sheep can eat goat food is essential for safe feeding practices.
By six to eight weeks, most lambs are eating enough hay and grain that you can start dropping one milk feeding per day each week. A gradual weaning schedule prevents the digestive upset that comes with sudden dietary changes.
Storing raw goat milk for your lambs
Fresh raw goat milk should be refrigerated right after milking and used within three to five days. Strain it through a milk filter to catch any debris or hair that fell in during milking.
For longer storage, freeze portions in clean plastic containers or zip-lock bags. Frozen goat milk keeps well for about three months and thaws quickly in warm water when you need it.
Our guide on freezing goat milk covers the best storage practices in detail.
Label everything with the date it was milked and frozen. Use the oldest supply first to keep your rotation fresh and avoid waste.
Final thoughts
Raw goat milk is one of the best foster milk options you can offer an orphaned lamb. It’s close to ewe milk in composition, easy to source if you already keep goats, and most lambs take to it without trouble.
Keep a few bags in the freezer during lambing season so you’re ready if a ewe rejects a lamb or doesn’t produce enough milk. That little bit of preparation can save a lamb’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sheep can drink raw goat's milk because they're both mammals. In fact, raw goat's milk is actually good for sheep. It's a source of nutrition that contains essential vitamins and minerals, plus other benefits and nutrients that help keep sheep healthy.
Raw goat's milk is milk that hasn't been pasteurized or processed in any other way, straight from the goat.
The main risk is overfeeding, which causes scours in bottle lambs. Feed small amounts at each session and watch for loose stools. Proper milk storage and hygiene are also important to prevent bacterial contamination.
You'll need to identify local farms or businesses that produce and sell goat's milk.
