Caring for a runt

Hi All!!

 

I know it's been a long time since I've been on this site, but setting up a farm is some hard work and we had an exceptionally wicked Winter.. ANYWHOO, one of my does just gave birth yesterday and I'm in a pickle!! My doe had three kids.. All different sizes.. lol.. The smallest kid is the source of my concern.. The doeling hasn't stood yet and is VERY tiny (about 12 oz.. tiny for a mixed goat.. 1/4 nubian, 3/4 ND).. We've been trying to feed her as much colostrom (sp?) as we can get her to eat, but I need to know if we're wasting our time with the poor girl?? She's very vocal, but very limp most of the time... HELP!!

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  • There is no definitive answer to that question, but the more time she spends in your house, the harder it will be for her when you put her with the goats. Of course, you can't put her out there if she's not strong on her feet. I really hate it when we have to bring one into the house, but sometimes it really can't be avoided. Her mother probably wouldn't recognize her at this point, so the only issue really is how challenging it will be for the kid to adjust to living with goats. House babies tend to think they're four-legged people!

  • Thanks ladies!! I'll keep doin' what I'm doin' and see where things take us.. Should I be trying to have the doeling spend some time with my doe or does it matter?

     

  • It's probably not hopeless. I've had kids that didn't stand for several days, and recently someone else posted about a kid that didn't stand for a week. So, you never know what you can do until you try, and every kid is different! The very first kid that tried to die on me was eight years ago, and she didn't stand for several days. She was literally half the size of her two brothers. Wish I could find the pictures I took when she finally could stand! She grew up big and strong and became a ARMCH -- http://nigeriandwarfdairygoats.com/does/carmen.html -- so you just never know!

  • Remember warmth, Nutrition and Hydration. Start there. Never try to feed without warmth all the way through to the gut not just outside surface warmth and low slow constant warmth much more important than heating quickly. Keep your spirits up no matter what. I am sure someone can give you specific ideas soon. These people on here are great. I know in a crisis I would rather be able to talk to everyone on here than your average veterinarian that's for sure.

  • I hope someone can tell you what to do specifically to help HER but I want to tell you one thing to help YOU. About your "wasting time"  question. I have been in similar situations many times over the years with different kinds of animals with the end results going BOTH ways. You have to live with yourself, get advice and help, but do what you feel you need to do. I mean when you feel you can't take anymore and you must give up do so without guilt because we can only do so much. BUT if you want to keep trying do that the same way without guilt and for as long as you feel you need to. I have had people try to make me feel guilty or foolish for trying so hard sometimes. Some people just don't understand. I have done some very very bizarre things and lost lots of sleep etc. Not something I expect from everyone but what I have to do to live with myself. And many times I ended with a live healthy animal but many times not so. I guess I am trying to say don't give up hope if you have the strength and desire to go on but don't feel guilty if you feel it is time to stop. One last thought, sometimes they don'tmake it but what you learn when trying helps you save another one further down the road. God Bless You and Your Herd!

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