How to Bottle Feed a Fainting Goat

Fainting goats are a breed that faints when scared or startled. The fainting is caused by a genetic disorder inherent in the species. When the goats are frightened, their muscles seize up for about 10 seconds. This disorder can cause younger fainting goats to fall over. For this reason, bottle feeding fainting goats requires a number of special considerations.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bottle with sterilized nipple
• Goat's milk, goat formula or cow's milk

1. Watch the birth of the fainting goat kids to see how many are born. The most common birth number for fainting goats is twins, and the mother will most likely be able to feed these two. However, if as many as three to five are born, she will have difficulty feeding them.

2. Observe all births to be sure that the mother is not rejecting one of the kids. Prepare to feed any rejected kids. Have a bottle ready that has a sterilized nipple.

3. Have some goat's milk on hand in case the birth results in high-order multiples. Use the goat's milk to bottle feed the kids, or purchase goat's milk formula in advance to have a more convenient supply of milk for the kids. Use cow's milk if you can't get goat's milk or formula.

4. Begin the procedure of feeding fainting goat kids by walking quietly into the fenced area. Loud sounds and sudden movements can startle the goats. You must keep fainting goat kids calm so they don't faint and injure themselves. Unlike adult fainting goats, young kids don't know how to stay upright during fainting spells.

5. Keep the kids you have chosen to bottle feed on milk for at least 12 weeks.