For the Love of Cupcakes! What is this Weirdness?!

[TF3]

Ok.
After haystaching but very little fur pulling...
Monday night (day 31) Pearl kindled two on the wire (which we saved), the third was probably stuck (elongated) and the next 3 were born promptly and dead.

Tuesday morning I found her eating a 7th dead kit, the nest flipped and the two survivors on the wire.
She is NOT a first timer.

I secured the nest and tucked the kits in with a couple one week olds for warmth. I put them back last night and it seemed she fed them, although one looks odd.

Tonight.... (Wednesday)
1) Pearl is frantically pulling fur and haystaching. I know they will keep pulling fur but she is hardcore staching and building a nest in the nest box (and tromping on the two kits!)...

Could she be having more?! I am sure on the breed date because the breeder bred her the day before I bought her and no one got her here.
Is she just belatedly deciding to mother the two?!

2) the surviving kits... One looks normal and fed. The other looks like a baby dinosaur... It is smaller and appears whiter because it's skin is so loose, protruding spine and ribs (and teeth!)and it's back feet and tail look discoloured (I keep thinking dirty but they aren't)-- bruised or damaged maybe?



It looks like what I assume is a starving kit, but it just seems 'off'-/ I figured I'd let it ride out the night for keeping the other warm and see what morning brings to it (and whatever Pearl is doing). But rather than trying to feed it I think I should cull it if it isn't fed on its own?

Anyway, that is the weirdness around here tonight and any insight is appreciated!

 

[Miss M]

I would think with this passage of time, and with her already having had 7, she probably does not have more coming (but can't say for sure). Some does don't get things all in the right order, or they'll continue nesting after the kits are born, which is a danger to the kits.

I would bring the nest box inside, and you can give her another one if you are concerned she'll have more. Take the kits out to her twice a day for a few days, until she's over the nesting instinct.

The one kit looks like it has some bruising, which is pretty common. As long as it eats, it should be okay. It doesn't actually look unfed to me at this point, but I'd keep an eye on him. If his tummy looks wrinkled and sunken, you can try holding the doe on your lap on top of a towel, and stick him under her for a solitary feeding if she will allow it. Not sure what to think of the spine and ribs there. :shrug:

 

[TF3]

What a mess this kindling has been! If the little one makes it through the night I'll flip the doe and feed him <br /><br /> -- Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:03 am -- <br /><br /> The little one didn't make it through the night.
On the up side there is now one very fat and happy baby being over mothered by his mama who got in the game and made him a great nest...

Three litters expected... Three babies total. Oi.
Breeding the meat mutts again today!

 

[EnglishSpot]

Good luck on the next round!! Keep thise three babies together so they can be survivors!!! I hope next month is as fat on luck as this month was lean!

 

[TF3]

Thank you!
I bred both 'successful' mamas again today~ I figure that since the kits are a week apart and the first two have opened their eyes, I'll have to let each mom nurse them out but instead of sitting there eating their heads off, they can eat, nurse and gestate!
By 4/5 weeks the three kits should be well on their way and I'll pop them in together to grow out.
(given that the first two are nearly 300 g at day 11!)
And however the cards play out at kindling will determine who fosters and who moves along!