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We've had goats for four kidding seasons now, and every year I've stuck to most of the same techniques. I usually separate the kids from their mothers after a three - four day period of nursing the colostrum. I've only had one buck that didn't take to the bottle after this time of nursing and that was from our first batch of kids four years ago. He ended up dying from a digestion problem. This year, I'm facing the same thing. This past Sunday night (13th) I separated a set of twins from their mother. The next morning when I went to bottle feed them, the little buck took right to it. The doeling didn't suck at all, but I did my usual "let them get hungry enough" trick and waited till the next feeding. After three feedings, she never sucked once. That was yesterday. I didn't worry much about her until this morning when I tried again. She won't take to the bottle - she won't even suck on my finger - but she is obviously hungry and calls to me. I've only been able to get about four ounces down her since Sun. night. She is plenty healthy right now, but I know this will not last on four ounces of milk every two days. This is an exact repeat of what happened to my other kid four years ago. With him, I failed, because I kept trying to force milk into him (eventually tube-feeding him) and he died from lack of life.
Should this doe go back on her mother? Or should I fight against this doe's will and make her bottle drink. If I wait too long to put her back on her mother, I know her mother won't take her back. Right now, she will. I may be able to put her on her dam and then try to separate her again a week or so down the road when she is stronger. I value the health of this do very much.
Any advice?
Danielle
Should this doe go back on her mother? Or should I fight against this doe's will and make her bottle drink. If I wait too long to put her back on her mother, I know her mother won't take her back. Right now, she will. I may be able to put her on her dam and then try to separate her again a week or so down the road when she is stronger. I value the health of this do very much.
Any advice?
Danielle