Doe rejecting kids??

mamadelbosque · #1 03/28/10, 03:48 PM

Hi there, we have 3 kiko does who have kidded over the past 2 wks. The first two have done wonderfully - their kids are growing great (gained ~4 pounds in 11 days and ~2 pounds in 4 or so days, respectively), but this last one who just kidded today seems to be rejecting her kids

. We've held her twice and let her kids nurse, but she just doesn't seem to 'get' it (there all first timers, btw)... Will she? Or are we going to have to bottle feed these babies?? I *really* don't want to do that!! Is there anything I can do to encourage her to accept her kids and start letting them nurse??

Natural Beauty Farm · #2 03/28/10, 04:25 PM

Keep making her allow them to nurse, she'll "get it" within a few days.
Remember a kid hits the udder on the run and only takes a few oz at a time, its all they can hold. If their stomachs are full and not sunken in then they might be nursing when you are not looking and she is just keeping them from over feeding.

GeorgiaGirl · #3 03/28/10, 04:38 PM

I was having problems out of one of our FF this past week. It took me a day and a half of holding the mom, then I would have to restrain her to a gate while the kids nursed. At first, one of the kids didn't know how. I would have to pry the mouth open, stick in the teat, hold everything together! WOW. I wasn't counting on that. But after day 2, things began to improve greatly. Hang in there.

mamadelbosque · #4 03/28/10, 07:44 PM

Ok, thanks for the info

I went out and held her ~6:30 or so and she seemed *MUCH* calmer than she was the first time I did so ~2:30-3pm, which I take as a good sign

DH is out there now, (8:30) feeding/locking up/holding her still, so hopefully he reports well... should I go out one more time before bed tonight?? Or will they be OK till 7-8am tommorrow??

Backfourty,MI. · #5 03/28/10, 08:52 PM

Are they locked into a small area or kidding pen just the doe & her kids? That may help & she will then bond with them & may even be feeding them when your not around like Natural Beauty farm said. If there little bellies feel full & a little round they are nursing, if they look or feel sunken in on the sides then they aren't. Check there little tummies in the a.m. & see if they feel full first thing when you get out there tomarrow.
Be sure & act & talk in a calm voice when restraining her & she should come around in a couple days.