Posted by GoatWorld on April 03, 2001 at 22:50:46:
In Reply to: To Bottle Feed or NOT posted by Michael on April 03, 2001 at 22:08:13:
Hello Michael,
Bottle feeding can be a pain but if it has to be so, then it has to be so. What you may want to consider is squirting some of the does milk on the kid she is rejecting. In particular, squirt the milk on the tail. That should hopefully get her to take the kid back.
If this does not work, do you have any other lactating does that could fill in? You might try squirting some of another does milk on the kids tail and see if she will accept the kid this way too.
We've had luck getting the substitute mom to feed an unwanted kid before - it takes a little time and a little coaxing but it is possible.
Short of that, you may want to go ahead and milk out the "real" nanny enough so that you can feed the rejected kid. Perhaps this kid is being just too rough trying to nurse and the doe is getting tired of it.
Inthe GoatWorld Articles section I believe there is a recipe for a goat milk replacer written by Sueann Nissen. You may want to check that out and try it.
Good luck and please let us know what works.
Best regards,
Gary Pfalzbot