Kidding thread... *update* Doe not letting her kids nurse. What do I do??

[SA Farm]

I would probably leave them with her, check them in a few hours and if they still have empty bellies, I would milk her and feed them.

 

[Pioneer Chicken]

Pioneer Chicken- I wasn't out there the whole time, but the kids were locked in a pen so they couldn't get to momma. Only way they could was when we went out in 2 hour intervals and opened them up. Every time we did, she didn't let them nurse. So it's not like they nursed when I wasn't looking cuz they didn't have access... They followed her around a few times, and their bellies aren't very full. I don't get it, cuz she has been great with them in the pen since Wednesday! Those babies ALWAYS seemed to be eating. Today was just weird, and not like her. I checked her bag and she's got plenty of milk, she's not dry... I don't know what to do... There's no way the babies aren't hungry... They pestered for a little while then it seemed like they said forget it and laid down to take a nap... I'm guessing they're alright cuz they aren't consistently crying right? But when mom gets up they WANT to eat and she's not letting them...

Okay, got it. I'm afraid I can't help you much since I haven't had that experience. I'd see about what doing what Southern said and depending on how that is, do what SA Farm said. Or, you may just have to bottle feed the kids anyway if mama's not doing it. I'll definitely be watching this and I hope it gets figured out!

 

[newbiekat]

Southern, I'm not sure what her temp is, I guess I'll have to find that out. I've never done that before, what kind of thermometer do I need and how far do I stick it in? Momma isn't lethargic, but kinda does circles in her pen to get away from her babies, and then when she has a chance she lays down. Doesn't seem off, just strange that she was so good at feeding them, and then we let her out and all the sudden she forgets how to feed them? One thing I forgot to mention, is she seems pretty skinny... How can I get weight on her fast? I've been giving her a scoop of sweet feed and a scoop of noble goat 16 every day since she kidded... All of them are getting that... I did notice that she would go to town on the alfalfa hay that we were giving them, and then we switched to regular grass hay, and she seems to turn her nose up to that. Sort of like it's not good enough for her after she's had the alfalfa.

When I went to check them this morning, I gave her grain and all babies nursed just for a little bit while she was eating. But once she was done she went back to sitting down... The babies seem like they're doing ok, not lethargic or anything, but one of her trips is really small, and the other two seem to be pushing her away from getting to eat, so I'm wondering if they aren't pushing her away and she's not getting as much a s she needs? She's my main concern, but they all seem to be doing ok... So I don't know if I'm just not seeing her nurse, or what, cuz she doesn't seem to care about them at all.

Sorry for the rambling.

 

[newbiekat]

I checked her temp, 102.1... Normal right? Suppose to be 101-103?

I had a thought, anyone have any idea supporting or against? I thought maybe she was just too full and so sore, so I put her up on the stand, milked her out a little, to relieve pressure, she didn't fight me at all. Then I grabbed her babies and put them on the stand with her. They nursed her till she was just about dry. So as of last night (well, 2am) they all had full bellies... I checked them this morning (6:30am), gave her grain, she did the same old song and dance. Ran in circles from her babies, not letting them nurse, had a few bites of grain then laid back down. Then DH checked her earlier this afternoon and he watched her get up and take a big long drink (which tells me she hadn't gotten up much before then). While she was drinking, the babies fought over the teats, and they had about 20 seconds of drink time split between the three, and then she kicked them off again, walked off, and laid back down.

I really am wondering if she's pitching a fit that she isn't getting any alfalfa hay anymore... We are gonna try giving her free choice minerals this afternoon, and alfalfa hay, and see if that doesn't do anything for her.

Another thought I had is, I wonder if we pulled one baby so she didn't constantly have three fighting to eat? Maybe 3 is too much for her? I was gonna try to pull one for a short period of time and see if that helps. And like SA said, I was thinking of milking her out in the morning, and giving the babies a full bottle in the so I know at least they're getting enough to fill their bellies at least once a day...

Anyone have any thoughts? It's not normal for a momma to be so good at nursing all three for 3 or 4 days then all the sudden kick them off like she doesn't want anything to do with them, is it??

 

[Missy]

I am getting really jealous! all those adorable babies! .... and none for me. I just love floppy eared goats! Congrats!

 

[jodief100]

I would give the littlest one a bottle. leave the baby with it's siblings but offer it a bottle three times a day. That way they aren't fighting over two teats.

 

[newbiekat]

Good idea. I think I'll do that. Thank you Jodief.

Everyone is doing well so far... Daisy's three are still doing alright, still alive so I think they are ok. Still smaller than the rest but I just assume it's because they were trips?

We had all of the mommas with their babies in separate pens for a few days, but I think they were getting agitated, and I think we were getting too nervous that we were overdoing it, running in the way of nature... So we opened everyone up, they have two corners of the barn with heat lamps on them and let them have at it. I was so nervous because I was afraid babies would be trampled, but it seems everyone is doing well. I try to stay out of the barn cuz they get riled up when I walk in, so I just peek in from outside. 007 style They all seem to be doing well, and even in the single digits, the babies seem to all be bundled up together, and aren't shivering or anything... So all seems well... Hopefully it is.

Will post more pics soon! Once I have time!

 

[bloonskiller911]

so where is the rest of the story?!? did the small triplet make it well with a bottle. how are they all doing now. at almost 3 months old they should be lots of fun now!!!

 

[newbiekat]

Sorry for the extreme delay in response! Summer hits and everything goes haywire!

Update:
All are doing well! We sold the buckling so she only had the two (including the little one). I think three was just too much for her this year. Hopefully next year she will produce multiples again and do better. Once we sold the buckling she let the other two nurse just fine. I didn't need to supplement a bottle, and the two have done just fine! The little one is still a runt. She is TINY compared to the rest. Even the two that are a month and a half younger than her. They have completely surpassed her size. She just seems... squatty. Lol... I will see about trying to get pictures this afternoon. (I have said that in the past, we'll see how successful I am though )

 

[newbiekat]

Success! Here she and her sister are!