Did I mention how hard it is for me to pull these babies from their mamas? I have does looking at every new kid born hoping that it is hers and they have been doing this for weeks. Next year I have to find another way to do this. I'm a softie.
As a dairy -- STRICTLY a dairy -- this is what has to be done. I know how hard it is with only mine, even when keeping prior year doelings they stay together as a family unit. It must be more than "hard" for those you have had for several seasons. I've had to wean animals for years, goats, mini horses & donkeys, it's like your own kids! I will say that my goats had a stronger desire to stay together after weaning than the equine. I feel sad for you with this part of the dairy
BUT...it is a diary!
It doesn't help a lot but, I feel our pain. Do you provide milk for the kids or just colostrum? Your friend bottle feeds?? A lamb bar, etc.
I watched a report (Utube, TV, ??) about a dairy in India. They had an amazing (gov't funded) set up!! The does were in a barn just for kidding, cameras and attendants 24/7. As the doe began kidding, attendants went and collected the kids which were taken, cleaned, dried, fed...never any more contact with the doe...all of whom were milked at once, on schedules, etc. Very hands on & well cared for but kidding was ONLY to bring in milk. Another barn had hundreds of bottle babies, another was for the milking line-up, etc. Those does had NO mothering to do. The animals were well cared for, etc. but it was strictly a dairy. It was a pristine set-up. India uses almost 100% goat milk for their country, few cattle.
