bottlefeed baby question

[animalcrazy31]

I have a little bottle fed baby goat i got a couple of days ago and hubby is having a fit about her inside saying shes to big either find away outside or get rid of her he only wants small ones inside that can fit in a platic tote and not pee out of. Is there away to keep her outside and just go out every 4 hours and feed her? shes 10-12 days old.if i put straw in a dog house would it keep her warm? Also if she is raised inside what age do you put yours out?

 

[lilhill]

When I have bottle babies, they live in the house. I get the Huggies diapers to put on them. I usually keep them in the house until they are almost 2 months old and then transition them outside for the weaning process. It depends on the weather as to whether I'd put her outside at her age, especially with nobody to cuddle up with. My dh has gotten used to the idea that baby goats are going to be bouncing around inside the house at times.

 

[Mini-M Ranch]

Hmm...I don't know, as I haven't ever had a baby goat, but what about one of those training crates for BIG dogs. I think that would work maybe, but it would be spendy. Short of that, perhaps your husband could go live in the doghouse for a few weeks...

A diaper seems like a good idea. Maybe you could build her a cage out of scrap wood?

 

[ksalvagno]

Just out of curiosity since I'm new to goats and not used to bringing livestock in the house, is there a true need for the kids to be in the house or can they do just fine out in the barn with proper bedding, etc?

 

[animalcrazy31]

i have her in a large dog crate now ive been trying to figaure out to close the back to stop her from peeing out of it. with the diapers do i have to cut out an area for her tail? ive never thought about about diapers even with 3 babies in them go figuare. would cloth diapers work? or are huggie types better?

 

[kimmyh]

If there are two baby goats, they can indeed be outside, but if there is only one, the owner becomes the buddy goat. Diapers work, I start with #1 and work my way up in size putting the diaper on backwards so I can hook the tabs from the goats back. If the diapers are sliding off, I then take an old sweat shirt sleeve and cut leg holes for the goats front legs, and safety pin the diaper to the shirt.

 

[cmjust0]

Take a few cardboard boxes and cut them into 8-10" strips, then tape the strips to the bottom of the walls in the crate. Cover the bottom of the crate with puppy-pads, then fill about halfway up the cardboard with pine shavings.

Tada!

You'll have to change it out somewhat regularly, of course, but you can get by at least a week at a time by adding new shavings frequently..

Don't get cocky about how well it works and not change it out for a really long time, though, thinking that the shavings are soaking up all that pee.. If you do that, you'll look behind the crate one day and realize that the pee started leaking out a while ago -- even though it's nice and dry and comfy on top.

Ask me how I know..

 

[lilhill]

If there are two baby goats, they can indeed be outside, but if there is only one, the owner becomes the buddy goat. Diapers work, I start with #1 and work my way up in size putting the diaper on backwards so I can hook the tabs from the goats back. If the diapers are sliding off, I then take an old sweat shirt sleeve and cut leg holes for the goats front legs, and safety pin the diaper to the shirt.

Yep, the shirt pinned to the diaper makes it really easy. My mini poodle is the "baby goat sitter" when there's a baby in the house. Maggie loves the babies and lays with them, giving them puppy licks when they cry, and helps me find them when the baby goes exploring.

 

[Rence]

In this warm weather I wouldn't even consider keeping a bottle baby in the house. But that's just me, I realize that. Even in the winter, I'd be very hard pressed to keep her in the house. They do pretty well as long as they have a good shelter that will keep them out of the wind and rain, and is well bedded. Those dogloos are GREAT, and since you don't have many of them, you can get the smaller ones. But a small dog crate will do too.

I would keep her outside and somehow acquire a friend for her, as she'll be terribly lonely by herself. Is she the only kid you have? Can you arrange to get another? What about another goat, if not a kid? Do you have any friends or neighbors with goats? I have a friend who will "lend" me kids or goats if I need one. I've been offered a kid because I needed to separate a little one. And I've been offered a doe when mine were dry. I'm sure you can find something suitable.

I wouldn't want a baby goat in the house either They pee and poo everywhere, and in my most humble opinion, it's really not necessary under normal circumstances. If your hubby won't tolerate diapers, try not to be too hard on him. I hope you work it out!

 

[animalcrazy31]

he aggred to let me try the diapers if that doesn't work she'll have to go out. I have 2 weathers and a buck all 3 1/2 to 4 months old would they be ok would they be ok in the same pen as her? i've been trying to find a second bottle baby to feed but no luck. inside my 7 week old beagle pup is her buddy.