How do I cut back from 4 feedings a day to 3?

[HappyPalace]

It's time (according to the book anyway) to wean Daisy & Violet from 4 bottles to 3. We're trying to stretch the time between the 1st & 2nd feedings & shorten the time between the 2nd & 3rd feedings. Is this a good way, or should we stretch the time between feedings 1, 2, & 3, until 3 & 4 are run into each other? How old when we wean them altogether? We're trying to get them more & more pasture time everyday - but my daughter plays with them rather than letting them graze. They are eating hay, have creep feed, mineral, and water available to them.

Daisy is 6 weeks, and Violet is 4 weeks.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I would just totally cut out a feeding and start your new schedule.

 

[secuono]

I agree, they will get over it.

 

[SheepGirl]

I would cut them off cold turkey. Yes they will complain, but they'll get over it as they adjust to their new schedule.

 

[daisychick]

I know goats are different than sheep but I just cut my bottle kid down to 1 bottle a day and she screams and carries on in the evenings but I just give her another flake of hay and she goes to eating it and forgets about her bottle really quick. She is 10 weeks old and is only getting the bottle for 2 more weeks and then I get to listen to her scream even more. Her room mate was weaned a few weeks ago and she has to sit there and watch the other still get a bottle. The older one doesn't even cry any more, it only took 2 weeks. They really do get over it, trust me.

 

[HappyPalace]

Thanks everyone. I guess we'll just stretch the time between 1 & 2 eliminate 3 & maybe give 4 a little earlier. They can complain to each other!