First few days questions, milk, shivering

kimmom · #1 04/06/10, 11:17 AM

We had twins born last night, are they usually wobbly the first few days still? ALso will the Mama engorge or really bag up. I am wondering if they are getting enough milk or not. They will suck when I help them find the teats. They are also shivering a bit, is that normal? I have a heat lamp on for them in the barn and dry straw. WHat age do they go outside with the others at?
I am the Nervous first kidder

, the goat mama is doing great
Thanks

Backfourty,MI. · #2 04/06/10, 11:45 AM

What are your temperatures there? Have you made sure milk actually comes out of momma teats? Sometimes there will be a wax plug over them that usually will come off on it's own or when the kids suck but sometimes you'll have to pull it off & make sure milk is coming out.
Do the babies little bellies feel kinda round or are they really sunk in? Baby goats don't nurse for long periods of time. Only a minute at a time(not exact times) but lots of times during the day. They also won't have big round bellies the first few days after being born but they should feel kinda full if you feel their sides.

Try putting a hot water bottle under a towel in the corner they sleep in, That's what I do if I think it's still cold or cold nights out & my newborns learn to snuggle right there & momma snuggles right next to them too.

Backfourty,MI. · #3 04/06/10, 11:46 AM

I forgot, they will be wobbly the first few days but you'll notice them getting stronger all the time. By tonight or tomarrow you'll probly notice them starting to try a jump around.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 04/06/10, 11:46 AM

I stay out in the barn a lot the first three days, too.

Yes, it takes a couple of days to get the wobbles out.

They don't latch and suck for very long at a time, but it is frequent.

Check her teats to make sure the normal little plug has been sucked out.

kimmom · #5 04/06/10, 02:06 PM

Thanks everyone! The shivering has stopped

They are so so cute! The Mom has milk coming out I can milk into my hand no problem. I just worry they are getting enough. I will go feel their sides, they do look a bit sunk in but that is behind the rib cage area and I think thats normal?? Also another question, what type of water dish works for the doe and her kids so they dont fall in it, I have been bringing the bucket in to her every few hours.

jBlaze · #6 04/06/10, 02:27 PM

I usually go by feel behind the rib cage, you should be able to feel some substance in that spot if they are getting enough milk. If you don't feel then you might milk a bit into a bottle ans see what they do. Do they act hungry? Do they pee?
Glad the shivvering stopped.

shiandpete.1 · #7 04/06/10, 05:55 PM

If you have a way to hang the bucket at mama goats level that would be better. The kids can't reach it then.

Bay Mare · #8 04/06/10, 08:02 PM

I use a small one gallon bucket that can be tipped over easily. In other words, put it out in the open - not in a corner or against a wall.

Angela

kimmom · #9 04/06/10, 08:04 PM

I ended up hanging one up in the corner for the Mama but it is to high for the kids to get in. What age do they start needing water too?

Natural Beauty Farm · #10 04/06/10, 08:31 PM

Kids will get their liquid from the milk. I don't offer water until I feel safe they can't drown. Depends on breed.... and size of kids.

jBlaze · #11 04/07/10, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimmom

I ended up hanging one up in the corner for the Mama but it is to high for the kids to get in. What age do they start needing water too?

I don't want to be mean or snarky, but I would be worried aobut the kids jumping. They can jump pretty high bouncing off those walls. Oh, well, I am assuming wall, I guess it would be ok on just rails? So good of you to think of this.

kimmom · #12 04/07/10, 05:48 PM

I never thought of that, there is walls there.. Hmm. Maybe I should come up with another idea! What else do others do, just small ones on the ground the are shallow and can tip easy?

Pony · #13 04/07/10, 06:05 PM

Okay, I am totally paranoid, but:

heat lamp + dry straw = recipe for disaster

After spending a night in the stable with the goats b/c one of Nick's co-workers got him freaked out that the kids would freeze so Nick put a lamp in there with them, we put hot water into old laundry soap bottles and placed those around the kids' nest.

They didn't really need them, but Nick felt better.

jtdl · #14 04/08/10, 05:17 AM

I'm brand new to babies as well and was really worried about them drowning in the water pail after I saw the one with her feet on the top and stretching her head in at 2 days old so I switched it out with a dog water bowl. It is a fairly big bowl but only 4-5 inches deep. I put it up on blocks so it is a bit higher and hopefully they don't play in it like they are the grain bowls! They are 72 hours old now and and they are running and jumping pretty high up on the walls! Quite full of energy they are! They've also been nibbling on hay and grain since their second day - not sure if they are eating it or not though!