2wk old not being allowed to nurse

382 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by toth boer goats, Apr 1, 2022

Lilgoatgal

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2022

We have a 2F who has suddenly reduced how much her 2.5 week old buckling is allowed to nurse, in both frequency and time on the teat. Otherwise still an attentive and protective momma. I still see her letting him on but just briefly and not often. His weight gain dropped at the same time from 1/2 lb per day to 2 oz per day! So I scrapped our plans to start separating them at night to milk just so he'd have more opportunities to try, and have been able to force feedings by tying her into the stauncheon and letting him nurse. She really fights it at first but then allows.
Wondering how many times a day should I be planning on doing this to maintain a healthy weight gain?
Would it be better to milk her and try to train him to bottle feed? Meaning, is there a big benefit to one over the other?
Lastly, do I need to delay separating them & milking in the mornings or can I go for it?
This is our first time with a rejection like this so TIA for your experienced opinions

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Tanya

· #2 · Mar 30, 2022

Bump

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ksalvagno

· #3 · Mar 30, 2022

Did you check her teats? Did you check his teeth to see if they are sharp?

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toth boer goats

· #4 · Mar 30, 2022

☝ I agree and make sure her udder and milk is ok.

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Rancho Draco

· #5 · Mar 30, 2022

I agree with above.

If all is fine, I would start at least getting mom on the stand twice a day and see how his weight gain is then. If he's still not gaining well, either up the times you have mom on the stand or get him on bottles. He's a bit old but you may be able to supplement him with bottles rather than pulling completely.

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Lilgoatgal

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 30, 2022

ksalvagno said:
Did you check her teats? Did you check his teeth to see if they are sharp?

I haven't checked his teeth... If they are sharp is there a solution for that?
Her teats & udder are good. She only has the one kid so we've been milking off the excess to keep the pressure off. One side is always full and the other low on the side the kid favors, which is pretty typical. I'll be able to tell better if the low side is not producing enough once I start separating them at night.

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Rancho Draco

· #7 · Mar 30, 2022

You can file his teeth if they are sharp

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toth boer goats

· #8 · Mar 30, 2022

A fine file, feel with your finger and find the sharp areas and file gently off the sharpness. Be sure to move the tongue and lip out of the way.
They hate it but it helps.

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Lilgoatgal

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 30, 2022

toth boer goats said:
A fine file, feel with your finger and find the sharp areas and file gently off the sharpness. Be sure to move the tongue and lip out of the way.
They hate it but it helps.

Okay, might need to do this. Found a pretty sharp tooth on one side. So, just a finger nail file?

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Rancho Draco

· #10 · Mar 30, 2022

I've never filed teeth before but I would imagine you may need a metal file to get the job done quick

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toth boer goats

· #11 · Mar 31, 2022

I use a very file metal one.

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Lilgoatgal

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 31, 2022

Successfully filed a tiny dagger tooth using the fine side of my nail file

It's all we had in a pinch and worked great! Praying mom will start letting him nurse more often now but he did gain half a pound in 24 hrs after letting him nurse 3x's with mom tied. Thanks for the help!

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ksalvagno

· #13 · Apr 1, 2022

Great you were a le to get it done.

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toth boer goats

· #14 · Apr 1, 2022

Good work. 👍😁

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