1 mo. old weaning self?

[exegeses]

My little doe (born Dec. 21st) isn't drinking from her bottle like the milking schedule I have says she should be. She's been getting 12 oz. 3x/day, but 2 days ago she decided that she only wanted about 1/2 of it. This morning and tonight (I didn't give her any this afternoon thinking she'd be more hungry tonight) I could only get her to suck good a couple times ... she got maybe an ounce each time - otherwise she just played with the nipple. Up until now she's always been the dominate one come feeding time.

She's running around just fine with the other goats, and doesn't seem under the weather or abnormal in any way. Her belly doesn't seem thin, either, like she hasn't eaten in a while. Seems to be pooping fine - no scours or anything!

I have 2 other bottle babies besides her and they all eat at the same time. The other 2 are both a week younger and their interest in the bottle hasn't changed. They all browse a bit and eat some hay, but would she be getting so much that she's not interested in the milk anymore? This sure is quick, practically overnight, and although this is my first time to bottle babies, I wouldn't have thought one would wean so early.

Should I be worried? Or is it OK?

[susanne]

Originally Posted by exegeses

My little doe (born Dec. 21st) isn't drinking from her bottle like the milking schedule I have says she should be. She's been getting 12 oz. 3x/day, but 2 days ago she decided that she only wanted about 1/2 of it. This morning and tonight (I didn't give her any this afternoon thinking she'd be more hungry tonight) I could only get her to suck good a couple times ... she got maybe an ounce each time - otherwise she just played with the nipple. Up until now she's always been the dominate one come feeding time.

She's running around just fine with the other goats, and doesn't seem under the weather or abnormal in any way. Her belly doesn't seem thin, either, like she hasn't eaten in a while. Seems to be pooping fine - no scours or anything!

I have 2 other bottle babies besides her and they all eat at the same time. The other 2 are both a week younger and their interest in the bottle hasn't changed. They all browse a bit and eat some hay, but would she be getting so much that she's not interested in the milk anymore? This sure is quick, practically overnight, and although this is my first time to bottle babies, I wouldn't have thought one would wean so early.

Should I be worried? Or is it OK?

month old not wanting bottle is always a reason for concern.
are you seeing her poop? are you having them on cocci prevention?
what are you feeding her? real milk or milk replacer?

[exegeses]

Originally Posted by susanne

month old not wanting bottle is always a reason for concern.

I had pretty much thought that.

Originally Posted by susanne

are you seeing her poop? are you having them on cocci prevention?

No and no ... had babies before on their mom and never had a problem with it

Originally Posted by susanne

what are you feeding her? real milk or milk replacer?

raw cows milk

[goatkid]

A month old baby should be still wanting her bottle. I'd watch and make sure she's pooping. When mine go off feed, I give them some probios. I'd also start the bottle babies on cocci prevention. I use liquid sulfa I get from my vet. Though the cow's milk is definately superior to replacer, she's not getting the immunity particular to your herd that she would be getting if she were being dam raised or getting pasteurized milk from your does.

[Briza]

She may be acidic. Give her a bit of baking soda water. 1tbsp soda one pint water.
This often will restore appetite if they just got a bit off.
She should be avid at 1 month old and wanting every drop.
B~

[madness]

I did have a buckling self-wean at 5 weeks this last year. I was VERY concerned about his disinterest in milk. So much so that I literally force fed him for the last week - so he was about the age of your kid when he lost interest. You've gotten good advice so far. Watch her like a hawk!

[susanne]

12cc milk of magnesia and she will poop
i would also put her on cocci med, either a sulfa or corrid.
pepto bismol in case she has an upset stomach.
good luck

[exegeses]

Thanks so much for the advice. I thought something was off. She started back in the next morning like nothing had been wrong. Weird.

Anyway ... I know what to do if it happens again! - Thanks!

[Tallabred]

I put some buttermilk in with my cows milk and added a pinch of baking soda once a day. They would still be after the bottle if I hadn't stopped offering it!

I would definitely start them on cocci prevention.