Delayed Mothering Syndrome

[Jcran]

The first freshener who dropped her kids in the middle of a horrendous and cold rain storm never cleaned her babies off, never licked her doe kid, just talked to her a bit and let her nurse. I cleaned up her back end when it was poopy, etc. Mom kinda watched but didn't show much interest. Yesterday mom hollered when we took doe kid to vet and was more animated when we returned-good sign. Well today, it was like she finally "got it". This afternoon, I gave the kid her naxcel shot and she ran to mom for reassurance afterwards. Mom immediately started snorting and talking that "new mom" talk(I usually hear it in the does who are going into labor). She started licking her ALL OVER, almost psycho-mom. When I left the barn after feeding everyone, baby's backend was absolutely spotless, mom was still snuffling all over her and licking! Wierd, wierd, wierd! Kid born Thursday, mothering kicks in Saturday. I have never had a doe "switch on" like that. Not complaining though!!

[Sweet Goats]

I have to say I haven't either, but thank the good Lord that it finally kicked in. Good job.

[DocM]

I have a doe who is six this year, has never shown the slightest interest in any of her kids, and finally, FINALLY, is raising this one. That's a long delay.

[goatkid]

One of my Boer does was like that. As a first freshener, she had a single buckling and took no interest in him for the first week. I had to hold her so she would feed him, and it was a struggle at times. A week later, her buddy kidded and suddenly, she caught on. After that, she didn't want him out of her sight. She would call out if he wandered off. She was a real good mom to her kids second time around, and is expecting her third litter next month.

[Jcran]

That's good news about moms being better on second kidding; so far, all my first fresheners were good moms. This one just took a bit.

[Freeholder]

I had one first freshening yearling last year who actually rejected her lone doe kid to start with. I would put the young doe on the milking stand, and milk one side while the kid nursed the other. After a few days of this, the doe caught on, and she was a good mother after that.

Kathleen