Raising healthy young livestock starts with consistent nutrition from the earliest stages of life. Whether you are rearing dairy calves, lambs or goat kids, feeding the right milk replacer can make a significant difference to growth rates, health and long-term performance. At Britmilk, we have worked closely with livestock farmers across the UK for many years, supplying carefully formulated milk replacers designed to support strong development while helping farmers manage feeding costs and labour efficiently.
We understand that every farm operates differently. Some farms rear large numbers of calves through automated feeding systems, while others focus on smaller numbers or mixed livestock enterprises. Our experience working directly with farmers allows us to recommend products that suit different management systems, seasonal demands and feeding objectives. This practical support is one of the reasons many farmers continue to rely on us year after year for calf, lamb and goat kid nutrition.
Milk replacers are now widely recognised as a reliable alternative to feeding whole milk. Consistent nutritional content, improved hygiene standards and dependable availability all make them a practical option for modern livestock farming. Early nutrition plays a key role in lifetime productivity and animal performance, particularly within dairy systems. Choosing the correct milk replacer from the beginning can support stronger growth and healthier stock management across the farm.
Selecting the correct calf milk replacer is one of the most important decisions during calf rearing. Young calves require balanced nutrition that supports rumen development, immune function and steady weight gain. Our calf milk replacers are designed to provide reliable performance while maintaining excellent digestibility for young animals during the crucial early weeks of life.
We supply several formulations, including products developed with high dairy protein content to help maintain consistent growth rates. Many farmers choose our extensive range of milk powders because they perform exceptionally well across different feeding systems and herd sizes. Consistency matters when rearing calves, and poor-quality powders can often lead to digestive upset or uneven growth. By supplying carefully formulated calf milk replacers, we help farmers reduce these concerns while supporting healthy development.
A further advantage of using calf milk replacer rather than waste milk is improved hygiene control, particularly where disease transmission is a concern. This allows farmers to maintain feeding consistency while improving overall herd management standards.
Proper feeding of the dry cow which may involve vaccination for Rotavirus, Corona virus. B.V.D, Salmonella and E-coli strains plus feeding a quality Dry Cow mineral such as the BRITMIN DRY COW with SELPLEX.
Taking early swabs of scouring calves will help to identify the problem organisms. Blood tests can also identify if calves have had sufficient colostrum. This should be discussed with your vet for the appropriate actions.
Clean calving boxes plus the use of COSISAN POWDERED DISINFECTANT will help to prevent infection both via navels and orally through contamination of the teats.
Keeping calves’ dry and well bedded and draft free at all times.
Control of lice from an early age (10 days onwards). Ringworm is often a sign that lice are present.
Ensure adequate colostrum in the first HOUR (up-to 4 LITRES good quality tested colostrum) If good colostrum is not available the use of BRITMILK CALF COLOSTRUM is recommended.To improve colostrum management please refer to our section on coloQuick colostrum system.
Coccidiosis in calves is a growing problem (brown/reddish scour /loose dung). Dung sample will confirm presence of the coccidiosis and appropriate treatment followed.
Clean water/ straw/quality mixture/ pellets should be available at all times from 4 day old.
Only start to wean when calves are eating a minimum 1.5kg per head/day for three consecutive days, remember weaning is a process not an event.
Lamb rearing can present several challenges, especially during busy lambing periods where orphan lambs, triplets or weaker animals require additional support. A high-quality lamb milk replacer provides the balanced nutrition needed to help lambs develop quickly while maintaining digestive stability.
Our lamb milk replacer products are designed to mix easily and feed consistently throughout the rearing period. Farmers often require a product that performs reliably in large volumes during peak lambing season, and we understand how important dependable supply becomes at these times. By working directly with livestock farms across the country, we can provide practical advice on feeding rates, mixing temperatures and management routines.
Nutrition during the first weeks of life has a major influence on future flock performance. Well-fed lambs are generally more active, maintain stronger growth rates and cope better during changes in weather or housing conditions. The National Sheep Association regularly highlights the importance of early feeding management within commercial sheep production, and milk replacers remain an important tool for many sheep farmers across the UK.
Lambs should be born into a clean environment. Navels should be treated with a suitable antibiotic eg strong iodine solution.
Bought in lambs should have Britmilk's Hydrolyte for 2-3 feeds.
All feeding equipment should be thoroughly cleaned each day.
t is impotant to detect and treat disease promptly. When in doubt consult your veterinary surgeon.
It is essential that all lambs recieve an adequate quantity of colostrum within 1 hour of birth especially if born indoors. If no ewe colostrum is available then feed Britmilk's lamb colostrum replacer.
Housing should be clean dry and well ventilated.
Wean lambs according to dry feed intakes
Feeding goat kids requires a slightly different nutritional approach compared with calves and lambs. Goat kids can be sensitive to sudden dietary changes, which means consistency in feeding routines and product quality is particularly important. Our goat kid milk replacer products are developed to provide suitable levels of protein, energy and digestibility for young goats during early growth stages.
Many goat keepers choose milk replacers because they allow for more controlled feeding programmes and can support herd expansion more effectively. Whether managing dairy goats or smaller mixed enterprises, having a dependable goat kid milk replacer available helps farmers maintain steady growth across youngstock groups.
Careful mixing and feeding procedures are essential when rearing goat kids. Maintaining clean equipment, feeding at regular temperatures and following recommended mixing instructions all contribute towards better results. Through our direct farm support, we regularly help customers refine their feeding routines to improve performance and reduce common issues linked with inconsistent feeding practices.
Oil 24%, Protein 22.5%
WonderKid is a high fat goat milk replacer containing quality proteins. It is designed for all fully and semi-automatic machines (Milk Mate 2000) and bottle feeding systems. WonderKid contains Bio-cox SR, to help in the control of coccidiosis and cryptosporidium plus egg protein/prebiotics/probiotics for improved health and vitality.
All Britmilk Lamb and Kid Milk Powders have a comprehensive package of health promoting ingredients derived from Yoghurt and Colostrum Cultures, Yeast derivatives, Essential Oils, Plant extracts and Organic Acids all included to promote health and performance in young Lambs and Kids.
Modern milk replacers offer several practical advantages for livestock farmers. One of the main benefits is nutritional consistency. Whole milk can vary significantly depending on diet, lactation stage and herd health, while formulated replacers provide controlled levels of protein, fat and essential nutrients throughout the feeding period.
Labour efficiency is another important factor. Many farms now operate automated calf feeders or larger-scale youngstock systems where reliable mixing and storage are essential. Our milk replacers are developed for easy mixing and smooth feeding performance across both manual and automated systems.
Cost management also remains a key consideration for livestock businesses. During periods where milk prices fluctuate, feeding saleable milk can become less economical. Milk replacers often provide a more predictable feeding cost while helping farmers maintain strong growth rates within their livestock enterprises.
At Britmilk, we believe good service extends beyond supplying products. Our team regularly visits farms throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to provide technical advice and feeding support. This hands-on approach allows us to understand the practical challenges farmers face during calf, lamb and kid rearing.
We work with farms of all sizes, from family-run livestock enterprises through to larger dairy operations using advanced feeding systems. Because all of our staff are customer-facing and experienced within the agricultural sector, we can offer realistic guidance based on genuine farm experience rather than generic recommendations.
Alongside milk replacers, we also supply calf colostrum, minerals, forage and grain additives and livestock health products to support wider herd and flock management. This joined-up approach allows farmers to source dependable nutritional support from a single supplier while receiving practical advice tailored to their operation.
Finding the right calf milk replacer, lamb milk replacer or goat kid milk replacer can help improve youngstock performance while supporting efficient farm management. We understand the pressures livestock farmers face throughout the year, particularly during busy calving and lambing seasons, which is why we focus on supplying dependable products backed by practical support.
Our goal is to provide milk replacers that deliver consistent results across a wide range of farming systems. By combining quality formulations with direct farm experience, we continue to support livestock farmers across the UK with nutrition products they can trust.
Britmilk covers the whole of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern and Southern Ireland. Working closely with merchants and agents we are able to combine the supply of high quality products with technical backup and unbiased advice.
Our products are available from our merchants or direct from our Network of Depots using our rapid reliable palletised service.
For details of your nearest Merchant contact us; 01387 750459 or info@britmilk.co.uk
We know how much the performance health and well being of your animals means to you. We believe that we are well placed to help you achieving your goals. Please explore this site to see how Britmilk can help you get the best out of your stock.
