Baby goat not getting milk

[Sherry]

Had twins born yesterday. Both seemed fine. I watched them nurse, I thought.

Today I find baby girl dead in pen. I keep watching the other one and as he is nursing, his tail is NOT wagging and he keeps butting the udder and going from teat to teat. I'm thinking he's not getting any milk. So I fix 2 ounces of goat milk replacer and he did eat about 1 1/2 ounces of it.

This is an older doe, have no clue how old she is, I've bred her three times. And I bought her with a set of twins, so that's 4 breedings I know of. She has always had a good sized udder when she's been nursing, and it doesn't seem to be as big this time as in past nursings.

So, am I right to think he's not getting milk?

And, should I leave him with his mother, I know this is generally best, and supplement him?

Or, should I just take him and make a complete bottle baby out of him?

Any help, opinions, etc. greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[geebs]

Go to the store and get Cows milk That will work till you find a Surrogate

 

[geebs]

How insensitive of me... I am sorry to hear you lost the little doeling... that is sad... Save the little buck.. I would bottle baby him...It isn't convenient or cheap but it is a nice thing to do...I wouldn't do the milk replacer I have lost too many goats on that...

 

[Cindiloohoo]

If the doe is bagged up she may just have a clogged orifice. Have you checked and cleaned her? She should be producing.

 

[Sherry]

Forgot to add, this is a doe you cannot get near. The fellow I got her from 4 years ago let all his goats free range and never spent time with them. I don't know what happened with her before I got her but I was never able to tame her down.

I'm afraid I would really traumatize her if I tried to rope and milk her.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

bottle baby then, and I would not have a doe I can't handle. It causes too many issues in hoof trimming and kidding. Good luck with that little buck!

 

[Sherry]

If Mama is clogged and I take the baby to bottle feed, will she dry up or is there a bigger chance of mastitis?

Please forgive the numerous questions, I'm feeling like a big ol' idiot here.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Sorry you lost a little doeling. I would get colustrum into the buckling right away. Hopefully you can find someone that keeps some extra on hand.
If he were mine I would keep him with mom and supplement with whole cows milk until you figure out if he is getting any milk or not. I'm not a big fan of bottle babies. They act needy and will bond more to people than they do to the herd.

 

[arabianequine]

Quote:
I know here at my farm feed store you can buy powdered colustrum would be better then nothing.

Good luck!

 

[dutchhollow]

Run her into a small pen and catch her, try to squeeze some milk out, sometimes just getting the 'plug' out and all will be fine. Much better option then a bottle baby, time and money wise.