Help....too many kits. not thriving

[Demamma]

My Satin Sage is not doing well with her 9 kits. They all look pretty skinny. My two Creme's both have older kits that are about 13 days old. One only has two that are very plump as she lost two. The other has 4 very plump kits. I am actually worried as they are so fat. I thought I would transfer the 2 kits over to the other doe so she would have 6 all togerther. I then can split up sage's kits and give some to Creme mom who would only have the satins then. What do you all think? I figure I could do the switch tonight or wait till morning.

 

[AnnClaire]

Demamma, You say that the Satin's kits aren't doing well ... how old are they? Are you sure it isn't a developmental difference between breeds? I know my EA kits look "starved" next to the EA/Satin cross kits the first few weeks. It is just that their body is a different type and that is how they develop.

You can most definitely get them more milk by fostering some to the Creme doe ... might leave 3 with the doe and move 6 to the Creme and see how they develop.

 

[Demamma]

the Satin kits are 4 days old and scrambling all over the nest in search of milk. I can not even compare the cremes to satin's cause of age difference. I am comparing to her previous litter. I went and transferred the 2 creme kits to the other litter and put 4 satin kits in their place. The doe showed interest but then hopped out of nest to lay down. Being the worrier I am I took her and placed her in a container full of alfalfa which she happily started eating. I then put the four kits under her and they got round tummies now. They are now in the creme nest settling down. The 5 in the satin nest I just left alone and will see how they are doing in am. I misplaced my raspberry leaf but will get sage some in the am. I really want this litter to make it as I am intrigued by some of the colors and want to see what they become. Thank you for replying.

 

[AnnClaire]

You could also "rotate" the one's that don't get full tummies with mom to the Creme doe ... she won't mind, and that way, all will get full tummies at least once per day - half in the morning, half in the evening. Leaving all with the Satin mom so she still gets the stimulation of nursing to help bring her milk in. It all depends on how much time you have (I forget that some folks have REAL LIVES and aren't retired like me ), but the kits will certainly benefit from the extra attention and handling at the least.

 

[Demamma]

good idea ann. Only problem is I would get lazy. I will see how it is going in the am. If Satin is not feeding her 5 I will check her out and hold her for the kits. Maybe she needs a good jump start to caring for them. I am almost sure the creme is going to take over the care of the 4 I gave her. If all is good I might give her more. She is a good mom. I am starting to love the creme's more seeing how good they take care of their kits.

 

[Miss M]

AnnClaire's idea sounds good to me. You can also supplement with formula, but that takes a lot of time.