Bottle feeding question??

[annie716]

We had triplets last night and one is very small, she's doing good, nursing & jumping around like the others but of course the biggest of the 3 is twice as big or more than she is. The doe is one of our largest boers and has a good size udder so may have enough milk but I'm sure the little one won't get as much. The question is can we supplement with a bottle twice a day to help the small doe get her share. We have 2 does with only 1 kid but they are over a week older and the does are quite shy (wild) and don't like any kids other than their own so I don't think they would adopt. Also we both work full time so are not available during the day to do the force feedings or bottle feed completely. Anyway I thought I might be able to give the little doeling a bottle before work in the morning and again at night chores to help her along. They are usually sleeping or just waking up when I go out before work so usually don't nurse until I start feeding. I would have to feed cow milk or maybe try to milk some from the other does, we have 6 does w/kids and at least 3 of them would probably not be to hard to milk some from. Hoping all of your experience will be able to answer this. Thanks!

[fishhead]

That might be a good way to help her keep up with the others. You might want to try to figure the best time so you don't substitute for the real thing.

[Tam319]

Hello,
Congrats on the babies! We had pygmy triplets a few years back and I supplemented the smallest one to keep her going. We kept her on the mama and gave her a bottle once/day. She did well, nursed on mama when we weren't around and the extra bottle gave her a bit of a boost.

With our current goat herd the babies are getting quite outgoing and will sneak a sip here and there off of other does throughout the day. "One big happy family". It sounds like with your plans your little triplet will probably do well. Keep an eye on her condition and adjust your supplemental feedings as necessary.

Good luck,