Never had a kid move and not drink milk

dozedotz · #1 05/27/14, 01:26 PM

OK...our quads left us this past Memorial Day weekend - two of the kids (the girls) went to Doug and he reports that they are eating good and fitting in. Two of the kids (the boys) went to a family that has purchased a buckling from us once before and a good friend of theirs who had had the opportunity to use the original buckling and liked him! So far, so good. Well, the lady who first bought the buckling from us has contacted us to say that her friend's boy is taking his bottle really well, but the boy that she wants is refusing the bottle and the lambar (both of which he took beautifully...to the point of insane milk consumption if not stopped !) I asked if she is warming the milk (we do) and feeding him with the other boy (she is keeping both until tomorrow when her friend will pick up her boy that is taking milk just fine). We sent 2 gallons of milk for each boy - so they are drinking the milk they have been used to drinking. We sent the hay they have been used to eating and he is nibbling that hay...she says he is passing pellets and playing with the other kids.
Open to suggestion here...stumped! Oh, we gave each kid 15cc of Probios before they left...as we always do and have never experienced a problem. Kids have had 2 of their CDT series, also.

GoatGirl123 · #2 05/27/14, 02:10 PM

How old is the buckling refusing it?

dozedotz · #3 05/27/14, 02:14 PM

Sorry! They were born on March 31...so roughly 8 weeks.

MDKatie · #4 05/27/14, 02:19 PM

I sold 2 boys this year too, and they both didn't want to drink for the new owner, even though they were taking the bottle fine from me. I told her they were old enough to do just fine being weaned off milk, but if she wanted to continue to try to bottle them she could.

Same with your boy...he's 8 weeks so not dependent on milk as long as he gets good quality feed to replace it.

dozedotz · #5 05/27/14, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the info, Katie. Never had it happen before! I did tell her that sometimes they wean themselves...I just have never had it happen buying or selling! She is a good goat person and will keep a close eye on him...to be sure he is drinking water, peeing, etc.

punchiepal · #6 05/27/14, 02:32 PM

Same nipple?

dozedotz · #7 05/27/14, 02:35 PM

Yes. In fact we took bottles with a lambar nipple on them so as to encourage the buyers to feed the kids milk! Good thinking! I should have included that piece of information. The buyer said that they had never used a lambar nipple so I was glad that we did take it! Thanks!!

GoatGirl123 · #8 05/27/14, 03:48 PM

If they're eight weeks, they are old enough to be off milk completely. If he doesn't want milk, maybe he doesn't need it. I wouldn't push it, personally.

dozedotz · #9 05/27/14, 05:02 PM

GoatGirl123, The buyer and I have continued the conversation and I have passed along the good advice from this forum...since we have never had a kid refuse to take milk...not even a kid at age 6 or 7 months!! Just one of those things...Both the buyer and us are people who believe in milk, milk, and milk. I think we just wanted to be sure that there was not a problem we were missing. However, the kid has a good temperature, is "very active" is peeing and pooping correctly...no signs of stress at all and is eating the hay we sent and drinking water...soooooo, the buyer and I agree with you: don't push it! lol

punchiepal · #10 05/27/14, 05:13 PM

My only other thought is -
when is he due for his next cocci treatment?
The stress of the move could cause a surge in the buggers if he is close to treatment time.

dozedotz · #11 05/27/14, 05:17 PM

We don't give cocci preventive unless we suspect that there might be a problem (early hot weather for example). We have our herd (small herd of only 6 does and 2 bucks) tested at the vet twice a year and have NEVER had to treat for worms or cocci. That is not to say it could not happen, but it hasn't yet. Kids are on clean ground. No pasture at all (we live in the woods). Everyone eats up. Last fecal test ($122.00) was in April of this year.

dozedotz · #12 05/27/14, 05:20 PM

Should add that the buyer is well aware of the fact that we do not do regular cocci preventive and we have told her to fecal test if she suspects a problem in that regard.