Feeding of Kids


  1. Feeding from birth to three months of age:



>     Immediately after birth feed the young ones with colostrum.
>     Up to 3 days of birth keep dam and young ones together for 2-3 days for frequent access of milk. After 3 days and up to weaning feed the kids with milk at 2 to 3 times a day.
>     At about 2 weeks of age the young ones should be trained to eat green roughages. At one month of age the young ones should be provided with the concentrate mixture (Creep feed).


  2. Colostrum Feeding of Kids:



>      The kid should be allowed to suck its dam for the first three or four days so that they can get good amount of colostrum.
>      Colostrum feeding is a main factor in limiting kid losses. goat colostrum is also efficient for kids. Colostrum is given at the rate of 100 ml per kg live weight.
>      Colostrum can be preserved with 1-1.5% (vol/wt) propionic acid or 0.1% formaldehyde. Propionic acid is preferred for preservation as it keeps the pH value low.
>      The chemically treated colostrum is kept at cool place to ensure better quality.


  3. Creep feeding for kids:

>      This creep feed may be started from one month of age and up to 2-3 months of age. The main purpose of creep feeding is to give more nutrients for their rapid growth.
>      The general quantity to be given to the kids is 50-100 gm/animal/day. This should contain 22 per cent protein. Antibiotics like oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline may be mixed at the rate of 15 to 25 mg/kg of feed.



>      The kid should be allowed to suck its dam for the first three or four days so that they can get good amount of colostrum.
>      Colostrum feeding is a main factor in limiting kid losses. goat colostrum is also efficient for kids. Colostrum is given at the rate of 100 ml per kg live weight.
>      Colostrum can be preserved with 1-1.5% (vol/wt) propionic acid or 0.1% formaldehyde. Propionic acid is preferred for preservation as it keeps the pH value low.
>      The chemically treated colostrum is kept at cool place to ensure better quality.


    Composition of ideal creep feed:


    Maize - 40%
    Ground nut cake -30 %
    Wheat bran -10 %
    Deoiled rice bran- 13 %
    Molasses -5%
    Mineral mixture- 2%


    Feeding schedule for a kid from birth to 90 days:



    Salt -1% fortified with vitamins A, B2 and D3 and antibiotic feed supplements.



    Feeding schedule for a kid from birth to 90 days:

  Grazing in the pasture for about 8 hours per day. Supplementation of concentrate mixture @ 100-200 g/animal/day with protein of 16-18 per cent. Dry fodder during night in summer months and during rainy days.