Dry feed consumption is important in developing body capacity. By increasing body capacity, feed intake and digestion increase. Research has shown that at two months of age a weaned kid has a reticulo-ruminal capacity 5 times as large as suckling kids of the same age. Kids should be consuming forages such as pasture grass or hay by two weeks of age and grain within four. Careful attention needs to be given to formulation of a concentrate supplement for the pre-weaning kid.
Palatability is of primary concern.
Balance the crude protein needs by adding cottonseed or soybean meal or another high protein source. Several factors need to be considered when making the decision as to when to wean dairy goat kids. The most important consideration is whether or not the average daily consumption of concentrate and forage is adequate for growth and development to continue in the absence of milk. Fixed weaning ages are less desirable than weight goals such as 2.0 to 2.5 times birth weight. Many producers who have an erratic or marginal market for their milk delay weaning for longer periods than necessary.