Hi there, just curious what everyone likes to go with for milk per weight when bottle feeding kids. Frequency, amounts, etc.
If anyone has charts to share etc. you are welcome to.
If anyone has charts to share etc. you are welcome to.
Bottle Feeding
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Here is the chart that I used this year:
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When I had goat milk I used that. When I ran short on goat milk I did the mix of the following: 1 gallon whole cow milk (red top), 1 can evaporated milk (full fat), and 1 cup full fat buttermilk. I took enough regular milk out to allow room for the other components.
For the first few days I offered every couple hours. After that I went to 4x a day, with the percent of body weight split evenly. I usually aimed for the 20% figure. If they detach from the bottle I offered one more time and that was it. After 3 weeks I went to 3 x a day, then down to 2x a day after 8 weeks. I kept the 2x a day until 12 weeks, then to 1x day until 16 weeks. As they got bigger I gave less total daily milk based on how well they ate. I did add a pinch of baking soda to the first bottle of the day.
When I had goat milk I used that. When I ran short on goat milk I did the mix of the following: 1 gallon whole cow milk (red top), 1 can evaporated milk (full fat), and 1 cup full fat buttermilk. I took enough regular milk out to allow room for the other components.
For the first few days I offered every couple hours. After that I went to 4x a day, with the percent of body weight split evenly. I usually aimed for the 20% figure. If they detach from the bottle I offered one more time and that was it. After 3 weeks I went to 3 x a day, then down to 2x a day after 8 weeks. I kept the 2x a day until 12 weeks, then to 1x day until 16 weeks. As they got bigger I gave less total daily milk based on how well they ate. I did add a pinch of baking soda to the first bottle of the day.
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I start with 10% of bodyweight in oz. Then adjust as babies needs. We try for a flat but firm tummy.
To get the amount we weigh baby and multiply that by 16 to get babies weight in oz. Then multiply that by 10 % to see how much per day to feed then divide into 3-4 bottles
No two babies are the same so feeling tummy is important to know if baby is getting enough..or too much. Watching weight, poop and pee helps too. We adjust milk amount after weighing baby every few days. We either use goats milk or whole cows milk..nothing added.
We start new born on every 2 hours feeding colostrum for 24 hours. We then go to 4 bottles a day until a month old. Then 3 bottles until 2 months. Drop to one bottle by 3 months on average and ween when we feel baby is ready. Some kids we keep on more bottles longer. No two babies are the same, this is just an average.
To get the amount we weigh baby and multiply that by 16 to get babies weight in oz. Then multiply that by 10 % to see how much per day to feed then divide into 3-4 bottles
No two babies are the same so feeling tummy is important to know if baby is getting enough..or too much. Watching weight, poop and pee helps too. We adjust milk amount after weighing baby every few days. We either use goats milk or whole cows milk..nothing added.
We start new born on every 2 hours feeding colostrum for 24 hours. We then go to 4 bottles a day until a month old. Then 3 bottles until 2 months. Drop to one bottle by 3 months on average and ween when we feel baby is ready. Some kids we keep on more bottles longer. No two babies are the same, this is just an average.
Well, I haven't used this yet but this is how I am planning to feed next year's bottle kids. I will be feeding on a lambar this year. I won't be going by charts or anything like that. This will be with raw goats milk or milk replacer. For colostrum they will be getting it 3x in 24 hrs, evenly spaced. There will be ad-lib feeding 3x a day for 2-3 weeks. By 3 weeks I will transition to 2x a day feeding--with a minimum of 24oz/2x a day. As they get older I will keep increasing until capping them at 1 qt. 2x a day. There will be a slow weaning decrease to encourage more grain and water intake with everybody weaning at 12 weeks.--DO NOT add water to the milk. My vet told me all this does is make the kids full and they have to drink more milk for less nutrition the more you dilute the milk with water. So they will feel full, but get hungry much more quickly. Instead, let the kids still be a little hungry(this is when older-over 8 wks at least)when done drinking milk and that will encourage them to really start on the grain.
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We feed 20% of body weight in ounces a day. When they’re a newborn they get fed every 2-4 hours for a few days, then 4 hours during the day and 6 at night till a week and a half old. At two weeks they’re getting a bottle every 6 hours and are going all night. ( 11pm-12am -7-8am )
And once they’re 3-4 weeks old we try to feed every 6 hours and 10-12 hours at night but if they have to go longer they do fine. By 6-8 weeks they get a morning, afternoon and evening bottle is all. And then cut out afternoon and keep going until whenever you choose to wean
And once they’re 3-4 weeks old we try to feed every 6 hours and 10-12 hours at night but if they have to go longer they do fine. By 6-8 weeks they get a morning, afternoon and evening bottle is all. And then cut out afternoon and keep going until whenever you choose to wean
@happybleats how much colostrum energy 2 hours? What's the body weight percentage I forget?
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At least 10% body weight in oz of colostrum the first 24 hours. Larger kids may need more like 15%. Again, every kid is different
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