A runt goat kid that was rejected at birth is now thriving after being “adopted” by two loving sheepdogs on a farm in Wiltshire, England.
Meet Lil: The Tiny Goat Who Beat the Odds
Named Lil, the little goat was born at just one-third the normal birthweight of her sisters — barely five inches tall compared to the usual foot-high newborns.
Too weak to stand or feed, Lil grew colder by the hour as her mother tended to her healthier siblings. Farm staff quickly stepped in, tube-feeding her with milk from another goat named Betsy and wrapping her in towels and straw to keep her alive.
“We left her with mum overnight and checked in every hour, but she was getting weaker,” said farm manager Julia Stewart of Studley Grange Farm Park.
By morning, Lil was brought into the farm’s caravan office for extra care. That’s when her unlikely guardians stepped in.
Sheepdogs Step In As Surrogate Parents
The farm’s working border collies, Luna and Nya, immediately took a shine to the tiny goat. They licked her clean, cuddled her for warmth, and even began to treat her as one of their own.
“They instantly claimed her,” Julia said. “They wash her, play with her, and snuggle up with her to sleep.”
At one point, Lil was so fragile that a friend knitted her a special warming suit made from an old sock. Now at five weeks old, she’s growing stronger every day — and even learning to copy her dog companions by rounding up sheep.
“She’s utterly adorable and great fun,” Julia added. “She definitely thinks she’s a dog.”
Life at the Farm Park
Lil is one of 14 goat kids born this year at Studley Grange Farm Park, which is home to 15 adult goats as part of its popular petting zoo.
Despite having goat siblings, Lil prefers the company of her human caretakers and her border collie “family.”
“She gets very vocal if she’s left in with the other goats,” Julia explained. “She’d much rather follow me and the dogs around.”
A Special Bond
The team says Lil will always share a unique bond with Luna and Nya. In fact, they plan to continue her “sheepdog training” with Nya as her best friend and tutor.
From a fragile runt that fit in the palm of a hand to a lively kid chasing after sheepdogs, Lil’s story has become a heartwarming highlight for visitors to the farm.
“She’ll always be special and different.”