weaning at 4 weeks?

[Hens and Roos]

we are planning to the kits at 6 weeks-which is this weekend, they have been eating and drinking the does food since 4 weeks old. Once we separate them from the doe, can her food ration go back to what she was getting before having the babies or do we need to gradually decrease the food she is getting?

 

[brentr]

When I wean my litters (at whatever age), the doe goes immediately back to daily ration (5-6 oz daily for my CA and SF). I think this helps dry up whatever milk she is still producing, and prevents her from gaining weight. Never had any issues. Only caveat is if I have a doe on a shortened breeding cycle and I think she needs more calories. Then I may leave her on free choice or at least double her daily ration - case by case judgement here.

I have a couple does that self-regulate really well, and I could probably free-feed all the time with no issues. I have another that is a total pig and will eat whatever she can so I have to manage her more closely.

 

[Hens and Roos]

When I wean my litters (at whatever age), the doe goes immediately back to daily ration (5-6 oz daily for my CA and SF). I think this helps dry up whatever milk she is still producing, and prevents her from gaining weight. Never had any issues. Only caveat is if I have a doe on a shortened breeding cycle and I think she needs more calories. Then I may leave her on free choice or at least double her daily ration - case by case judgement here.

I have a couple does that self-regulate really well, and I could probably free-feed all the time with no issues. I have another that is a total pig and will eat whatever she can so I have to manage her more closely.

thanks, I figured they could go back to normal daily ration. I will do that and see how they do.

 

[treeclimber233]

At weaning time I would not remove all babies at once. I would remove all but maybe the two smallest ones. I would reduce the mothers food the same day I removed most of the babies to reduce her milk production. Leaving one or two on for another day or two would help drain her so she would not be so hard from milk that was not removed. As a nursing mom myself I found it painful to wean my own daughter "cold turkey". If you check their milk glands the next day or two you will see what I am talking about. The mammary glands get very hard and full of milk if all the babies suddenly stop nursing.

 

[Hens and Roos]

At this point I am not sure any of the babies are nursing- she moves away if they try to get under her. Will have to check and see. Thanks for the suggestion.