Goat Kids
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At Island Hill Farm, breeding and raising the goat kids is one of the most important aspects of the farm operation.
Since Island Hill Farm is home to a variety of goat breeds we always have a variety of goat kids! Can you spot them all?
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Their Purpose At Island Hill Farm:
Besides being cute, cuddly, and extremely playful, the kids help ensure the continuation of our goat herd!
Why are the kid and baby goats separated from their mothers?
We seperate all our baby goats from their mothers directly after birth as part of our disease prevention plan on the farm. Goats (and other ruminants), are susceptible to a disease called Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (or CAE for short), which can cause debilitating and painful symptoms in affected animals, often resulting in the death of the animal.
While not dangerous or transmissible to humans in any way, CAE can be spread through mothers milk, the after birth, and other bodily fluids. By separating the babies from their mommas right at birth and raising them in our nursery, we can help control the potential spread of CAE on the farm, ensuring we keep the herd as healthy as possible and of course, disease free!
Please help us keep our kids (and other animals), healthy by washing and sanitizing your hands before and after interacting with them!
While not dangerous or transmissible to humans in any way, CAE can be spread through mothers milk, the after birth, and other bodily fluids. By separating the babies from their mommas right at birth and raising them in our nursery, we can help control the potential spread of CAE on the farm, ensuring we keep the herd as healthy as possible and of course, disease free!
Please help us keep our kids (and other animals), healthy by washing and sanitizing your hands before and after interacting with them!
So what do baby goats and kids eat if not their mothers milk?
In order to ensure all our babies receive the proper nutrition, Island Hill Farm feeds newborn kids and lambs, an approved milk replacer (just like some human babies are fed formula!).The amount of formula fed is based on age and body weight and is updated on a regular basis. Volunteers and staff work on a rotating schedule to mix formula, fill bottles, and feed the kids.
Initially babies are fed 3 times a day. This is then reduced to mornings and evenings, and finally once a day as the young kids are slowly weaned onto hay and grain.
Interested in bottle feeding our baby goats!? Send us an e-mail to request a private bottle feeding today!
Initially babies are fed 3 times a day. This is then reduced to mornings and evenings, and finally once a day as the young kids are slowly weaned onto hay and grain.
Interested in bottle feeding our baby goats!? Send us an e-mail to request a private bottle feeding today!
Do baby goats and kids have horns?
Yes, baby goats do have horns, and in our youngest kids you can feel the nubs of the horns on top of their heads.
In order to keep our herd as well as visitors safe and injury free, we have all our kids disbudded before their horns fully grow in. Disbudding of the horns is performed under anesthesia by a trained veterinarian by burning of the horn nubs using a specialized tool for this purpose.
In order to keep our herd as well as visitors safe and injury free, we have all our kids disbudded before their horns fully grow in. Disbudding of the horns is performed under anesthesia by a trained veterinarian by burning of the horn nubs using a specialized tool for this purpose.