I have a firsh freshener nigerian dwarf doe who gave birth to one buck kid ten days ago. I've seen the mom push and butt the little guy away quite a bit when he tries to nurse. Although there are times she will actually draw him to her to feed. Is this normal or should I be worried he's not getting enough nourishment? He has gained weight and is growing and active but it seems he should be nursing a lot more. But then I've never been through this so I don't know what to expect. Thanks for your help out there!

-- D Lynn Black (Dlmoonspinner@aol.com), July 13, 2001

Answers

If he was not gaining weight and growing, I would be concerned. Since he is, and you have seen her nurse him at times, I would think she is probably doing okay with him. I'm not an expert, but I have noticed that some mothers will call the kids when she is ready for them to nurse, and when she's not, they have to wait. Other dams will let the kid nurse anytime. Keep keeping an eye on them. You should see her call him to nurse at least a few times a day, and be sure he continues doing well. If he were truly rejected, he might go downhill fast.

-- mary, in colorado (marylgarcia@aol.com), July 13, 2001.

Well... i don't raise Nigerians, but do raise Alpines. i have experienced a few times a dam not allowing her offspring to nurse. some does will fall into goat motherhood fine and others will reject their does. I dam raised my kids last yr on their dams who were CAE positive and saw this. Its sort of hard at first to figure it out, she may be outright rejecting, or she may be hurting when he is nursing. Check her udder to see. And also, if she is rejecting him, then try supplementing with a bottle, milk her and then pasturize the milk or however you choose, straight. Or if you can't supplement with cow milk from the store if in a pinch. hope this helps.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), July 14, 2001.