Is 1 week to far apart to foster in a litter?

amandainohio24 · Apr 22, 2013

Our doe had 3 kits last night/early this morning. We found 1 dead and the other 2 were chilled. Mom didn't pull very much fur so I put some dryer lint into the bottom of the nest to help keep them warm. Would it be possible to foster the 2 remaining kits with my litter that turned 1 week yesterday? The 1 week old litter and mom are in the house all day and night. I can always bring the new litter in at night and bring it back out during the day for her to feed them if that would be best too.

ilovecharmz · Apr 22, 2013

Yes it is possible they would be just fine. How many kits does the foster mom have? If you have trouble getting foster mom to except them dab a little vanilla on the kits she should warm up to them and except her new kits. Make sure she does not have to many other wise it might stress her out

ladysown · Apr 22, 2013

should be just fine. Vanilla should not be needed. Just plop the kits in, remove box for half an hour if you feel unsure about it.

ilovecharmz · Apr 22, 2013

Yes vanilla is not needed but just a suggestion

I use it on some of my babies and foster moms.

skysthelimit · Apr 22, 2013

Isis tried to kill the foster kits several times I tried to put them in. I have a dangerous group. the last time around I just removed the whole box,put the fosters in and returned the box in few hours.

amandainohio24 · Apr 23, 2013

The doe I am thinking about using as a foster has 4 kits. I think I am going to try to put the babies with their mom in the morning for a little while to see if she will nurse them or not. If not then I will try the fostering with our other doe. How exactly do you do that? Do you put the new kits in with the originals?<br /><br />__________ Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:33 am __________<br /><br />Update/..........................
Looks like we are not going to be able to foster out the babies. The mom had another 2 last night (would have been 5 but we lost 1 yesterday). Hoping now that there are more babies in the nest they will keep warm better since mom is outside, otherwise we will be bringing them in overnight and possibly during the day a little too.
If only this Ohio weather would make up its mind. Today is supposed to be 70 then 43 at night, they the next day the high is only 48 with it dropping down to 36.