Really strange behavior from doe that kidded 30 hrs ago

desertoasisfarm · #1 06/24/06, 09:11 AM

This is my 3rd doe to kid this year and her behavior is VERY strange in my mind. She has been alone with her single kid so this morning I decided to let her come out and introduce her buckling to his half brothers and sisters. No other mommies allowed. She had not eaten anything that was in her stall last night and was very reluctant to even come out. Of course the baby was more than ready and she followed eventually. Last time she had twins and it appears she is constantly looking for another baby or is just confused. Is this possible?

She would not allow the other 4 kids (ages 18 and 13 days) to come anywhere near without trying to butt them away, a bit too agressively to me. So I put her back in the stall and she seemed less nervous.

Last time she kidded she adjusted NORMALLY if there is such a thing and joined in the routine right away. Has anyone had anything similar? She's very spoiled with me, more than the other does, would this have anything to do with it? She wants me there but NO ONE else. Not even her daughter from last time and they are inseperable.

The little buckling is eating pooping peeing jumping etc. so I'm not worried about him. But momma has me a little nervous. She can't stay locked away from the herd forever?

Any ideas or input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Linda

oberhaslikid · #2 06/24/06, 11:21 AM

Linda, have you tried giving her probois? or did you worming her? I always worm mine and give molassas water the day they kid to give them energy and get things moving again.you can also do vitamin B to get the appitite back.SubQ or tablets.She sounds secure in her stall thats why she wants to stay there I always keeep mine penned 3 days .Then they are ready to go by then and the baby has their legs under them.

desertoasisfarm · #3 06/24/06, 12:13 PM

OK.. yes I wormed her right away and the special molasses "tea" also. AND after reading your post I immediately went out and gave her the probios and vitaminB complex tab (its all I had). So now I wait. I guess what surprised me the most is that the other does were so ready and anxious to come out and eat and walk around and if memory serves me, she did too the last time.

And then the almost confused state of constantly sniffing the baby as if she LOOKING for something?

So I will keep her in her stall a while longer, the main reason I like to let them out of there is it is hotter there and it seems the flies are more concentrated there. And I clean every 3-4 hours (not kidding) to try to keep them down.
Thanks for the input!

Sondra Peterson · #4 06/24/06, 05:30 PM

I usually keep them separated 3 days also her being agressive twards the others is not unusal she is protecting her babe. But not wanting to eat would have me worried. The B complex and probios should help make sure she is drinking. you might want to give her 30 cc of CMPK to be on the safe side.

chamoisee · #5 06/24/06, 10:41 PM

Has she passed the afterbirth? If she were my doe, I would check to be absolutely certain that there are no kids left in her. Aggresion towards other does kids can be normal. The not eating is what makes me wonder whether she still has a kid left in there.

We almost lost our best milker about a month ago from retained placenta, managed to save her just in time and she was down for about 2 weeks....Withour doe the cervix was closed and made it hard for the vet to clean her out...I'd check yours out pronto while she can still be helped.

oberhaslikid · #6 06/25/06, 07:19 AM

Chamoisee is right if all else I would check this next.Make sure she passed everything. The vet can give her a shot to clean her out.I have seen this confused state before its like the chemistry in the brain is flowing.They usually come out of this within 24 hours or so.I would keep giving her the probois and vitamin B. I give mine (3 tablets) they will eat them out of my hands like candy.Check her temp and make sure thats normal.Has she been on alfalfa befor kidding?

desertoasisfarm · #7 06/25/06, 07:40 AM

Yes, she passed the afterbirth and is having the usual "discharge" too. I was there during delivery and it was normal..I cleaned up the mess. After the probios and Vit B yesterday she is eating again and she willingly let me take milk from the side the baby is not using yet. She seems much better in that respect.

Still SUPER protective of the little one...if he moves more than 1-2 ft from her (even in the stall) she immediately pulls him back with her front foot. Poor thing. Even tho I know all does are different, this is a new behavior for me and I'm sure she didn't do this this last time or I would have remembered. The other does so far are protective but a bit more relaxed than she is.

I will definitely continue probios and VitB but I feel better this morning about her.. just hope she loosens up a little on the little buckling!
Thanks guys for all the input, I really appreciate it! I'll update.

desertoasisfarm · #8 06/26/06, 10:51 AM

I think Junebug is ALMOST normal...will now tolerate the other kids to some degree, at least she won't start charging them when they are 20 ft away. I changeg the area she was in to be with her sister and daughter (both pregnant) and that seemed to make a great difference to her...she is much calmer. Guess she was just having some kind of hormone inbalance or something. Her appetite is back to normal, baby boy is nursing very well and quite the acrobat. Just wish she would let him interact with the other kids....maybe soon. So thanks again for the input.