I'm trying to decide if my doe is rejecting one of her kids, and if I need to pull her tonight or wait a bit longer.
The doe snorts at this kid, and shoves her pretty firmly. However, strangely enough she will also let her nurse. The kid seems to be afraid of her, and has a dejected look. The doe is so sweet to her other doeling, snuggling and cuddling her, shoving her gently toward her udder...
I put some of her milk on the "rejected?" doeling's tail, and on her face. I though that helped. The next time the doeling came to nurse, mama even lifted her leg to let her nurse. However, after that mama shoved the doeling and her head thunked into the wall. Sad to see, but she doesn't seem overly hungry. I have chosen to wait for a while, but am totally open to any tips or advice you have to offer.
Thanks! :)
Replies
I meant to say that was my theory. I think the pig smell confused and frightened her. However, she's now being a wonderful mom to both kids, and all is well. So glad!
Glenna Rose said:
I am wondering if there was pig smell on the baby after being handled by the pig owners. That could be why she pushed it away and then after sniffing its tail let it nurse. If she is still pushing away even a little, rub mom down very well with a towel and then rub that towel all over baby to hopefully overwhelm any remaining pig smell. Sometimes the answer is so obvious we don't think about it.
Ah Patty, that is good to know. Thanks for sharing! I wondered if too many people at first handling the babies might upset mama. Going to remember that. My last doe (who was my first kidding) was super chill about people around her babies but I have 2 FFs coming up to kid soon. I'll remember to keep it calm for her for the first week and keep the strangers to a minimum.
Thanks for the tip, Judy, and you're welcome. :)
Judy Asarkof said:
Thanks Patty for this story. I've heard more and more stories about Does rejecting babies when there is a lot of activity going on. It must be so hard not to "share" but seems to me it is logical to stay back except for 1 caregiver if needed. As a newbie not yet kidding but soon - I'll remember this. I'll be known as the MEAN goat person I guess.
Glad things are good. I was going to recommend Sepia for the mom! It is a homeopathic remedy that helps a mother connect better to her babies if she is having a hard time. Worked for me with 1 sheep ewe.
Judy
All is well! :) I have a theory. We had some friends over on Sunday A.M. who raise pigs. Before I knew it my hubby had taken the men out to see the new babies, and they picked them up. After that, the doe acted like she was afraid of something, snorting and stomping. When she smelled that doeling, she would snort, stomp and give it a shove, but then she'd sniff it's behind and let it nurse. That night, I put some of her milk on it's head, back and under it's tail. The next morning she was better, but still snorting a bit. By evening, she was again licking the doeling and snuggling with it. Today, all is fine. The doeling she was having the trouble with is the gold colored one in my "Introductions" post. These photos were taken about an hour ago. :)
Sounds like the behavior my doe that rejected her buckling last year did before she started refusing to let him nurse. Keep a REALLY close eye on her! I didn't have to totally pull the buckling. The doe tolerated him with his sister, just didn't let him nurse, so I bottle fed him, but left him out with mom and sis.
Great! That was my thought, but I was nervous about leaving her overnight. My gut feeling it she'll be alright. And tonight, I'm going to sleep instead of making yet another trip to the barn. I'm off to bed. :) Hugs, Deborah, as well as much admiration for the number of cold night you've spent in your barn! <3
Watchful waiting seems like a good call.
Their tummies don't really feel the same. The "rejected?" doeling isn't full full, but during the day here she's been put under the doe by each person who has visited the barn, so quite a few times. Also, while I was in the barn tonight, I put her under the doe as well as seeing her get there herself twice, and she felt fuller when I left.
The other doeling is probably overly full, with all the encouragement to nurse the doe gives her. I expect she may have a bit of trouble with diarrhea if she keeps nursing this much.
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