We have just had our 2nd kidding & the mother of our 1st kid is acting aggressive toward the new kid. Is this normal? Should we worry that she might actually injure him? The newest mama doesn't seem to do anything to protect him. This is the 1st kid for each of these does. We have another doe who is due any day now as well. Is it necessary to seperate the does? Also, the newest mama doesn't act aggressively to the 1st kid at all. (Hope this isn't too confusing.) Thanks.

-- Wendy Wetherall (tstorm@prtcnet.com), February 12, 2002

Answers

You may want to seperate them for a short while to let them bond with their dam. I had a first freshener kid with twins this year and the buck came out first and when she saw it she took several steps back and lowered her head - guess she thought he caused so much pain she was going to let him have it. She did eventually clean them off. I seperate my kids from the dams so don't have the problem with that you do. The dam may be more protective of her kid once they have bonded a little more and it would also give the kid a chance to get a little stronger.

-- Leslie in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), February 12, 2002.

Just came in from checking on things. Did seperate the newest kid and doe. She is nuzzling him and all seems well for now. Thanks.

-- Wendy Wetherall (tstorm@prtcnet.com), February 12, 2002.

The first doe to kid is dominant over the second one. I like to pen up the 'bottom' does with their kids for at least a day after they kid, to give the doe and kid a chance to bond, and to let them kid get more nimble on his feet so he can at least run away from the other does! It will help if you have a good sized pen or barn, and if you have nooks and crannies for the kids to hide in. They will spend much of their time sleeping in such places, ands then the mothers come and call the kids out to nurse. Also, if you watch closely, the mother doe will call out anxiously to her kid when it gets too close to another doe. It doesn't take them too long to learn to listen to their dam!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), February 12, 2002.

Guess that I am overprotective. I keep the moms with new babies seperate from the herd for at least a week. Then I put them with the herd durring the day and seperate at night. After a bit I just put the kids in at night so I can have the AM milk.

I do have a "baby basher" that is not allowed in with other does kids untill they are old enough to get out of her way at about 2 months. Once they are bigger she gives them a place in 'her herd'.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), February 12, 2002.

Thanks for your quick responses. I have seperated the does & each is doing great with her new little buck.

-- Wendy Wetherall (tstorm@prtcnet.com), February 12, 2002.

Definately seperate unless they are dam/daughter, some will not get aggressive penned with their family. Does can and will hurt and perhaps kill the little ones, had it happen a few yrs ago on our other farm. The doe kidded, another doe, one of my "Mean ole' Alpines" got a barn full, tried to fight another doe and squished a doe kids. She wa son trial for murder, she claimed temporary insanity and Jackie (my beloved Alpine,was her psychologist.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.