Starr is a meat mama Cal, about 2.5years, and kindled her 8th litter a few days ago. The problem started back in March on her 6th. She swells up with milk but...her kits can't get it. It's difficult to squeeze out as well. She jumps in to feed for a nice long time, but most don't get full bellies; they might get a little, but not enough to thrive.
I've cycled several litters through her nest. Her kits get full bellies in other nests and the cuckoo kits in hers go hungry. I've even tried taking away her pellets and rationing just oats, but it's not helping. Only one, maybe two, of her teats seem to be working right and can give a kit a full belly.
I don't really know what to do about it. She breeds easy, kindles good, big litters, holds condition great, makes too much milk despite everything - she just can't seem to feed kits anymore. I keep feeling like maybe if I keep rebreeding her, the problem will pass, but I know that's probably pretty silly.
Is this broken-boobies problem just a sign it's time to retire a doe or what?
I've cycled several litters through her nest. Her kits get full bellies in other nests and the cuckoo kits in hers go hungry. I've even tried taking away her pellets and rationing just oats, but it's not helping. Only one, maybe two, of her teats seem to be working right and can give a kit a full belly.
I don't really know what to do about it. She breeds easy, kindles good, big litters, holds condition great, makes too much milk despite everything - she just can't seem to feed kits anymore. I keep feeling like maybe if I keep rebreeding her, the problem will pass, but I know that's probably pretty silly.
Is this broken-boobies problem just a sign it's time to retire a doe or what?
I have no idea.
