Most crias are raised by their mothers. Sometimes, though, a dam has little milk, rejects her cria, or dies — and the cria needs help. Bottle feeding can save a life, but it must be done carefully.
When to supplement
- The cria hasn’t nursed within 4–6 hours of birth.
- It’s losing weight after day 3, or not gaining for two days.
- The dam has mastitis, no milk, or rejects the cria.
- The cria is orphaned or very weak.
Always involve your vet: a cria that won’t nurse may be ill.
What to feed
- Colostrum first (first 24 hours): camelid colostrum is best; goat or cow colostrum are common substitutes. Keep some frozen before birthing season. Thaw gently in warm water — never microwave.
- After day one: fresh or frozen goat milk, whole cow’s milk, or a milk replacer recommended by your vet for camelids or lambs/kids. Avoid sudden switches.
How much and how often
A common guideline is to feed about 10% of body weight per day in milk (rising toward 15% as the cria grows), divided into frequent meals:
| Age | Feeds per day | Example for a 16 lb (7.3 kg) cria |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | 6–8 | 730–1,100 ml/day total |
| Week 1–2 | 5–6 | about 100–180 ml per feed |
| Weeks 3–6 | 4–5 | increase gradually with weight |
| 2–4 months | 2–3 | as hay and pellet intake rises |
Weigh daily and adjust with your vet. Overfeeding causes diarrhea; underfeeding causes weight loss.
Safe bottle technique
- Use a lamb nipple on a small bottle.
- Warm milk to about body temperature (100°F / 38°C).
- Hold the bottle at the height the cria would nurse from its mother, with the cria standing and head level — never feed a cria lying on its back.
- Let the cria suck at its own pace; a fast flow can cause aspiration pneumonia.
- Clean bottles and nipples thoroughly after each feed.
Raising a well-adjusted bottle baby
Bottle-raised males that bond with people can become dangerous adults (berserk male syndrome). Keep the cria in the herd, feed through a fence or from a bottle holder, and avoid cuddling and face touching.
- If possible, keep the cria with its dam even if you supplement.
- Introduce hay, pellets and fresh water from the first weeks.
- Wean from milk gradually at 4–6 months.
Frequently asked questions
Can crias drink cow’s milk? Whole cow’s or goat milk are commonly used after colostrum; ask your vet for the best option.
How do I know a bottle cria is getting enough? Weigh daily — steady gains of about 0.25–0.5 lb a day mean it’s on track.
Keep reading
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.