Fostering babies

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Cindi Davis

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Just curious as to how many of you need to foster from a doe that wont take care of kits and putting them with one that is a super Mom? I have a doe that will take anything ( as long as they are of similar age) and the results have always been good. (knock on wood)
 
I have one Californian doe that will foster anything. She had a litter in December, there were 12 but she lost two. another doe had a litter and wouldn't nurse them. So cali doe ended up nursing 16 kits. she did fine but a couple more died eventually. one time before that she helped nurse a litter of 10 flemish giants that weren't getting enough from mama.
 
i switch babies around back and forth all the time.

Thing to keep in mind.
the biggest younger kits go in with a litter that is older than they are.
the smallest older kits go in with a litter that is younger than they are.

the aim is to keep kits about the same size together so they can evenly compete for food.

You must keep an eye on the condition of the doe and her ability to care for them.

MOST meat type does (so 7 + lbs) can care for up to 10 babies, but not all can do this...but all SHOULD be able to handle seven with no issues.

Most fancy (HL, MR etc) types can handle 5-8
most dwarf types can handle up to 5.
 
Thank you Both for your reply's The Doe that is fostering now is a Flemish and is doing well with the extra 4 I've increased her feed and hay, also extra water bottles and am supplimenting with a calf mana type feed of which she is getting 1 tblsp daily along with some fresh grass, and banana chips periodically. Her condition looks good.
 

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