Can u put another pygmy baby on another doe?

[julierx1]

Ok guys and gals I have a question. I have been totally overwhelmed with babies these last 2 weeks. I have a doe who kidded 11/26 ( 2 babies, both doing fine) a doe who kidded 11/20 ( 2 billies, 1 of which I bottle feed) and a doe who just kidded a single birth about 1 1/2 hrs ago. I have the 8 day old baby that I bottle feed, momma mistreats him awfully. After this last doe kidded this evening, I put Zee in w/ her and her little one just to see what she did and believe it or not she let him nurse and also cleaned his bottom!!!!! I was wondering if I could leave him in w/ her and the baby or would he drain her milk and maybe then not have enough for her own. Pls help

 

[BrownSheep]

As long as her little guy is getting enough and she stays in good condition leave him there. Generally it takes moving heaven and earth to get a momma to adopt another baby. How does her udder look?

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I say go for it. As long as he is getting enough to eat, why not.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't reject the kid, but if she accepts it (which is amazing), no reason you can't let her raise it.

 

[julierx1]

Her udder at this point is nothing to brag about. But yet it is about the same size as some of my other does w/ twins on them. My concern is that Zee being 8 days older would take all the milk. Should I wait a day or 2 until I make sure the newby is getting all the colostrum needed?

 

[BrownSheep]

I would leave them both on if youre really concered. Remove Zee for maybe 10 minutes a couple tie s a day.

 

[cindyg]

I think if you take him off her she won't let him back. She likely thinks she had two, and will produce enough for them both. Just keep an eye on them and maybe give a supplementary bottle a day to them both, if they're hungry, they'll take it.

 

[lilhill]

I agree. Just leave him in with her.

 

[20kidsonhill]

There is a very small window of time while a doe is kidding and after that she will accept a new kid. I would leave him on. You could always supplement both of htem with a small bottle for a couple days if she needs to catch up on milk.

Make sure doe is getting enough alfalfa/beet pulp and goat grain for milk production.

After Zee is well bonded with dam and dam has clearly accepted him, 2 or 3 days then you can always take him out for a few hours a day to give the younger kid more one on one time with mom.

If the 8 day old continues to be too overpowering for the young kid and mom has clearly accepted them both, you can even pen up the older one for the night leaving only the young one on.

You for sure have some options now that she has accepted your bottle baby.

But for now I would just leave them on her and see how it goes.

 

[ragdollcatlady]

There is a california Boer breeder that grafts babies onto other moms on a fairly regular basis.....you can see an article she wrote if you go to her website .... www.goldcountryboers.com