| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Best OverallLamb & Goat Bottle with Pritchard Teat | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  | Manna Pro Goat Kid Milk Replacer (4 lb) | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 3 |  | Pritchard Teat Nipples (12 Pack) | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
It’s possible to switch a bottle-fed kid back to nursing off a doe, but I won’t sugarcoat it. This is one of the harder things to pull off with goats, and success depends heavily on timing and the willingness of the foster doe.
Can you change a bottle fed goat back to nursing off another goat?
Yes, you can make this switch, but “easily” isn’t the word I’d use. The two biggest hurdles are getting the doe to accept a kid that isn’t hers and getting the bottle kid to figure out a real udder.
Your best chance of success is within the first week of the kid’s life. After that, both the kid’s habits and the doe’s maternal instincts become harder to redirect.
What are the benefits of changing a bottle fed goat back to nursing off another goat?
A kid nursing off a doe gets fresh, warm milk on demand at the right temperature every time. The doe’s milk also contains antibodies that help the kid fight off disease, something you can’t replicate with milk replacer.
It also saves you a ton of time and money. Bottle feeding every four to six hours is exhausting, and milk replacer adds up fast.
Since most does deliver twins or triplets, finding a foster mom with only a single kid is often your best option.
Are there any risks associated with changing a bottle fed goat back to nursing off another goat?
Probably the biggest risk is that the foster doe rejects the kid aggressively. Does recognize their own babies by smell, and some will kick, headbutt, or even injure a strange kid that tries to nurse.
Bottle kids also struggle with the switch because a doe’s two functional teats feel nothing like a rubber nipple. The kid has to learn a completely different sucking position and technique, which can be frustrating for both the kid and whoever is supervising.
How to prevent risks when changing a bottle fed goat back to nursing?
The classic trick is to rub the doe’s own birth fluids or afterbirth on the bottle kid to mask its scent. If the doe just kidded, this works surprisingly well because her maternal hormones are running high.
Pen the doe and kid together in a small space where the doe can’t easily move away from the kid. If you’re managing a mixed herd of sheep and goats, make sure the grafting pen is separated from the flock.
Supervise every nursing attempt for the first few days and be ready to step in if the doe gets rough.
What are the treatments for a bottle fed goat that’s rejected by the nursing goat?
If the doe won’t accept the kid after several days of trying, you may need to restrain her in a stanchion during nursing sessions. Hold her still and guide the kid to the udder two to three times per day until the doe gives up fighting it.
Some does come around within a few days of this routine, while others never accept the foreign kid. Calm breeds like fainting goats tend to be more accepting foster mothers.
If she’s still actively trying to hurt the kid after a week, it’s safer to go back to the bottle.
When is the best time to change a bottle fed goat back to nursing?
The first 48 hours of life give you the best odds by far. During this window, both the kid’s instincts and the doe’s hormones are at their strongest.
Grafting works best when the foster doe has just lost a kid of her own. Her udder is full, her hormones are primed, and she’s looking for something to mother.
Final Thoughts
Switching a bottle kid to a nursing doe is worth trying, but go in with realistic expectations. It works best with freshly kidded does, very young kids, and a lot of patience on your part.
If it doesn’t work out, there’s no shame in sticking with the bottle. Plenty of healthy, strong goats were raised on milk replacer.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's possible but not easy. The two biggest hurdles are getting the doe to accept a kid that isn't hers and getting the bottle kid to figure out a real udder. Your best chance of success is within the first week of the kid's life.
There are actually quite a few benefits to changing a bottle-fed goat back to nursing off another goat. For one thing, it's more natural for the goat.
If a goat owner decides they want to switch a bottle-fed goat back to nursing, there are a few risks associated with doing so.
As a farm kid, I learned early on that goats are creatures of habit. Once they get used to a certain way of doing things, they don't like change.
