Bad first time momma

[ddhare]

What to do? I have a 1st time momma goat that gave birth to triplets. She has been a nervous mom, not wanting to let babies nurse for long since they were born. She kicks them away, butts them and rarely stands for nursing. They will be 1 month old tomorrow and while they have made it this long, I am wondering whether to take them completely away and supplement their feed with a bottle or what? It's just hard watching her be such a meanie. The triplets are growing and eating away at hay and oats. They just look thinner than kids that have better moms. Will appreciate any and all advice!

 

[KatharinetheGr8]

Alas, I have no experience raising baby goats. I spent a very short time caring for a small herd of goats and know they are more fragile than one might expect.

Having said that, I think our instincts are generally very good at guiding us towards what is best for fur babies in our care. If you think they're thin, I say at least supplement mom's milk and their feed with some goat formula. Of course you know babies of all species get valuable nutrients and compounds from mom's milk that help them grow. If they aren't getting that from at least a formula, there is a better chance for a myriad of problems. Although intervention with a bottle does not guarantee anything either.

I'm sorry I'm not more help. Sending you the best wishes with your three babies!

 

[Stacykins]

What to do? I have a 1st time momma goat that gave birth to triplets. She has been a nervous mom, not wanting to let babies nurse for long since they were born. She kicks them away, butts them and rarely stands for nursing. They will be 1 month old tomorrow and while they have made it this long, I am wondering whether to take them completely away and supplement their feed with a bottle or what? It's just hard watching her be such a meanie. The triplets are growing and eating away at hay and oats. They just look thinner than kids that have better moms. Will appreciate any and all advice!

If you feel they aren't thriving, then YES, do supplement with a bottle. Kids need milk based nutrition for eight weeks, bare minimum, twelve is better. It may be hard getting them started, since they are used to what little teat they can get. Once they catch on, they will be ravenous. Calculate how much milk each kid gets based on weight, which means you need to start weighing them. This is also to make sure they are gaining weight.

Because they are over three weeks old and not getting adequate nutrition, you will definitely need to treat them for coccidia. This is a different treatment than a wormer. It is a killer of kids, and these kids don't need any setbacks.

You should have intervened within the first few days when you saw problems, don't let this happen next time, get in there and help the kids thrive (kids are worth money after all, so they are worth the little effort it will require to bottle raise them). She may be a stellar mother her next kidding, or she may be terrible. Was she bred too young? Immature does who are bred too early (even if they make weight) often make poor mothers, because they are almost kids themselves still.

 

[ddhare]

You were helpful! Thank you for your reply

 

[ddhare]

Thank you so much! Yes, I should have done more...hindsight...The first few days I held mom while a friend switched babies for everyone to get a belly full. I also give all my newborns drench, selenium and vitamin E. I am just not satisfied that they are getting enough milk throughout the day. Fortunately I have a friend down the road that has plenty of goats' milk. She milks hers daily.

The doe is over 2 years old and my friend and I believe that MeToo (the mom) did not want kids to ruin her girlish figure! If anything she is spoiled as she was the only goat in the pasture before she came to me.

Again, thank you for your advise

 

[N F C]

Thank you so much! Yes, I should have done more...hindsight...The first few days I held mom while a friend switched babies for everyone to get a belly full. I also give all my newborns drench, selenium and vitamin E. I am just not satisfied that they are getting enough milk throughout the day. Fortunately I have a friend down the road that has plenty of goats' milk. She milks hers daily.

The doe is over 2 years old and my friend and I believe that MeToo (the mom) did not want kids to ruin her girlish figure! If anything she is spoiled as she was the only goat in the pasture before she came to me.

Again, thank you for your advise

How are the triplets doing? It would be nice to see a photo of them if you can share one.

 

[ddhare]

My avatar is a picture of them 24 hours old. They are doing well...thankfully eating oats & hay. Mom is still dodgy but they are growing and thriving. Need to take more photos to share

 

[N F C]

Glad to hear they are doing well!

 

[daxigait]

It is often helpful even for an older doe to pull anything more than twins and bottle feeding them. It lessens the does stress, and helps them to thrive. If you have dairy you milk, you can even feed milk from the other does after the kids get their colostrum. Any pictures?