How long do you let them go?

[mygoat]

My doe kidded today with trips... Two bucks and a doeling. I think I'll be keeping the doeling, so I wanted to bottle feed her to make her nice, and I thought I'd raise a sibling with her so she's not alone, leaving one of the bucklings on the mother. They all were with thier mother from about 11 am till 3 pm, during that time I watched each one get at least one good meal, and they probably got more.

Anywho, she's refused to eat since I've removed her. I've tried feeding her at 7pm and now at 11 pm, and she refuses. Her brother understands, eats well. She acts like I"m trying to kill her because I have to pry her mouth open to even get the nipple in there. Then she screams, chokes, etc. When it gets in her mouth she just sits there, and lets themilk run out the sides of her mouth. Now, I know she has the instinct, because I put her back in with her mother and she looks for the udder. Why is this such a horrible ordeal for her? And I've tried covering her eyes, she just puts her face down and backs away... so I put her in a corner or wrap my legs behind her, and she only screams bloody murder. I've also heard just let them get really hungry, and they'll learn real quick, but how long can you let them go before worrying?

[mygoat]

???

[mygoat]

I just took her back over to see if the mother would care for her overnight. The mother now doesn't recognize either of the two I took away as her own. I held her a little for the doeling to nurse some. I'll have to keep bottle feeding, now. Any advice on getting her to nurse would be very appreciated.

[Starsmom]

I have bottled fed and had some raised by the dam. I personally see no difference in the behaviour of the babies. If you give them to the dam and pay no attention, then yes they will be hard to manage. If you spend as much time playing and bonding with the kids on the dam as you do with the bottle babies, they should be equally nice and manageable. If she refuses to eat and is getting really stressed and their is no reason not to give her back to the dam, then I would give her back. Thats just my opinion, others may differ.

[Starsmom]

You can always rub some of the does urine on the baby, then it will smell like her.

[Starsmom]

To help take the bottle, you can rub/scratch her back end, that stimulates the sucking reflex. That is what the does do.

[goatkid]

If this kid was just born today, you should be able to get her to take the bottle. Are you using a nipple similar in size to the dam's? I sometimes have to cuddle and coax the kids, but have always been able to get a kid form newborn up to a few days old to nurse without too much trouble if I persist. Usually, if you hold a really young and hungry kid to your face, it will start bumping, looking for food. When they do this, it's easier to get it to take the bottle.

[Laura Workman]

Temperature is really critical. Too hot or too cold, and they won't take it. Also, flow is important. Too much and they'll choke. Not enough and they'll get frustrated and quit. Get the nipple opening to where you can milk it about like a goat, get the temperature just right, hold the kid, put the nipple in her mouth, close her jaw and pull it out a bit so it deposits a little milk in her mouth. If she chokes, let her go and try again once she's clear. It can take a lot of patience, but with a baby that young, shouldn't be so difficult. By the way, you really can dam raise and have nice babies. That takes time, too, but at least it's quality time, not fighting.

[mygoat]

Yes, I've bottle raised before. I've just never had a problem getting a kid to drink. She's not just stubborn, she's terrified. the niipple gets in the mouth and she does nothing but scream and struggle. NO sucking. and I think my prying her mouth open to get whatever I can in there is teaching her to hate it. the mother will NOT take her or her brother back. I've tried rubbing afterbirth on them again, and tryed rubbing her colostrum on them. I think I'll try vicks vapor rub if i can find it in a local store.

Her brother understands, and is a great eater. I know that the dam raised kids can be friendly as well. I have a couple like that, though they are more skittish than my bottle baby, of whom I really enjoy her attitude. But Whenever the dams raise multiples, it seems like they have much better chances of turning out skittish. Also, I wanted to be able to sell at least one buckling asap, and that means bottle feeding. So I know the 'what' and the 'how', just not the why?

[CountryHaven]

Sometimes they are just stubborn. LOL One of mine that I got this year to bottle feed was just like that. The other three took to the bottle with no problem. Some just have a stubborn streak a mile wide. Once she finally decides you're really not trying to kill her and the milk tastes good, she'll take to the bottle like a pro. Just take deep breaths, try not to get frustrated, and let it take the time at each feeding that it takes. It's important she eat. What Laura said too is really true. I found that the temperature of the milk was REALLY important especially in the first few days. When I tested it on my wrist at first I was going for about the temperature I'd have fed a human baby at, but found that the goat kids like it just a tad bit warmer. At least mine did.

[Sher]

First off Dona...the "kids" are truly gorgeous. The why? I think mother nature comes into play. The baby knew what she was supposed to do...and did it. Momma knew what she was supposed to do and did it. We mess them up. Once in a blue moon..we can't make them understand.

[Liese]

When I had to bottle feed a lamb rejected by the ewe, I made certain the milk was at 100*F, since a sheeps body temp is 101. I am dam raising here but visit with everyone, on the floor. Pretty soon I am the most popular object-let's climb the mountain! I find that it's alot like all kids (2 and 4 legged), just be there, don't pursue and they become curious. I agree with Sher, sometimes with the best intentions we get in the way. Then we get to practice patience and forbearance!

[CountryHaven]

Oh oh, forgot. One thing that really helped get my 'stubborn--she's trying to kill me' kid to latch on -- put a light coating of corn syryup on the nipple of the bottle. It was still a test of wills, but it tasted much better to MissKid.