Re: Goats raising dairy calves?

[Guest guest]

I don't know if this is the info you are looking for, but I have raised two

Jersey bull calves on goat's milk with bucklings for company. Both did very

well, and one is now in the freezer, feeding the family very tastily. I had no

problems with scours or any other health problems feeding them goats milk. The

first calf got 2 quarts twice a day; the second calf I upped his feeding to 3

quarts twice a day. Both seemed to do about the same, health and weight gain

wise, although the second calf had more weight on him at weaning. My first calf

I just followed my instructions, as I was told I could kill him through feeling

sorry for him and over feeding him--they both always wanted more.

I kept my first calf in with the young bucks and they became best buds; I was

too tenderhearted with that first calf to band him, and he ended up thinking he

was a goat or a sheep--he would mount the sheep and goats when he got older, at

which point I separated him from the girls. Never had that problem with the

second one--he got banded as soon as his testicles descended.

My second calf lives with my ram and they are best buds.

Laury

Minister Farm

New York

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> Alright here is a random question about dairy goats from a " greenhorn " when it

comes to goats. We have a small dairy milking about 70 cows and reading all the

posts comparing costs of cows and goats put the question of if a dairy goat

could successfully raise a dairy calf. I wonder how much milk one goat would

average and what breed would be the best to tolerate calves. This group of goat

owners/farmers seems to be well informed so I thought I would toss this question

around the forum and see what information I could get back. I appreciate any

feedback.

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