Kits Losing Condition

[Phacelia]

My first time NZR doe has been my star pupil, up until the last couple of days.

I noticed yesterday that one kit had fallen behind, and was skinny and smaller than its siblings.

So I brought the mother in to let him nurse. I placed her between my legs and put the kit under her for about 10 - 15 minutes. He seemed to frantically root around the whole time, and didn't look like he had gotten much afterwards.

I did the same thing today, lifting her up to make sure he could reach, and he would appear to latch on for second or two, and then continue rooting. I'm guessing she isn't letting her milk down while I hold her.

I also noticed that another kit, while still the same size as the rest of the litter, has a skinny belly.

The other 5 kits are still fat and sassy.

Is it possible that her milk is drying up? Or is it just survival of the fittest, at this point?

Right now she is getting free choice pellets and hay and 1/4 cup each of BOSS and whole oats.

I also gave her a big handful of parsley today, hoping that might help.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Zass]

Sometimes kits miss a feeding.
If it's not the same kit each time they will likely be just fine.
With only 7 kits in a litter, and as rich of feed as your offering...I'd guess your kits all have excellent chances. I don't think she'd be drying up. I dunno, I've never had a healthy doe with a litter just up and go dry.

For future reference, holding a kit under a rabbit for nursing works best if you can do it right before the doe would be ready to nurse on her own. That's when her teats will be most full and let down most easily.

 

[Miss M]

How old are they?

If it's the same kits missing feedings, you could separate the litter from her, and then take just the two and the nestbox to her for feeding. After they've had full access for a minute, add the others in under her. Or the others could just miss a feeding. You can mark those kits with a Sharpie to make sure you keep track of them.

Her production could be falling behind. If that's the case, then hopefully the parsley will get her going again. The rest of her diet certainly seems to be rich enough... I would normally figure that to be too much BOSS, but maybe not in this case.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

For future reference, holding a kit under a rabbit for nursing works best if you can do it right before the doe would be ready to nurse on her own. That's when her teats will be most full and let down most easily.

Good point, Zass!

You might also try pulling her nestbox so you can make sure she can't nurse them before you get to her. You could then remove all but the skinny ones and let them nurse first, then replace the others. She may or may not feed those ones after, but if they miss one feeding it shouldn't be a big deal. Sometimes just that one extra feeding is enough for the stragglers to catch up.

 

[Zass]

You might also try pulling her nestbox so you can make sure she can't nurse them before you get to her. You could then remove all but the skinny ones and let them nurse first, then replace the others. She may or may not feed those ones after, but if they miss one feeding it shouldn't be a big deal. Sometimes just that one extra feeding is enough for the stragglers to catch up.

I was about to add that too. My bit was going to go like:
"The easiest way to figure out when a doe nurses is to take the box.
She will nurse right when you bring it back the next day! "

Some does nurse twice a day, others nurse only once. My current outside doe (whom I've snagged the nestbox from, to prevent losing kits to winter weather) nurses them when I bring them out in the morning, but hasn't been interested in them when I bring them out during my evening rounds.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I was about to add that too.

Hah! I got to it before you could edit, lol! I am go-oo-ood! *Pats self smugly on the back*

 

[grumpy]

I've had one doe just up and "quit" her litter. I was surprised because she'd
had a few litters previously and did rather well. She missed on the re-breed.
She had a ticket on the Snake-Train the next time it went through.

 

[Miss M]

I was about to add that too.

Hah! I got to it before you could edit, lol! I am go-oo-ood! *Pats self smugly on the back*

*ahem*

I beat you both. :tomato:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I was about to add that too.

Hah! I got to it before you could edit, lol! I am go-oo-ood! *Pats self smugly on the back*

*ahem*

I beat you both. :tomato:

Just wait a minute, here! :evil: Normally, there is an alert along the lines of "Another post has been added to this topic- you may want to revise your post", AND I GOT NO SUCH WARNING, NOR, APPARENTLY, DID ZASS!!! :evil:

Either you are abusing your Moderator-Super-Powers, Miss M, or there is a glitch in the system! Hmmph!!!

*Ahem!*

:congratulations:

Miss M, for being the first to point that out.

Even if you cheated.

 

[Miss M]

Even if you cheated.

I did no such thing! :wr_noseinair:

I'll take the congrats, though... :wr_power:

 

[Phacelia]

Thank you Zass, Miss M and Mama Sheepdog

I will give that a try.

 

[Miss M]

:lol:

Keep us updated! :clover:

 

[Phacelia]

The little guy looks better today. He must have gotten to nurse overnight. He's still pretty slim compared to the rest of the fatties, though. (he's the one on the far right)

I went ahead and pulled the nest box this morning. I'll return it to her tonight to give the little guy a good feed on his own.

Thanks for all the great advice, guys! I would be lost without you!

 

[HendricksHearth]

Glad the kit is doing better! I have had a few over the years that just seemed to be "failure to thrive" situations for lack of a better phrase. I tried provide supplemental feedings with the doe and in one case I even tried to supplement with a powdered milk supplement/syringe and it was a no-go. Hopefully this one just missed a feeding or something though. Best of luck!

 

[Miss M]

He may not be fat and sassy, but he's still sassy! I think the extra feeding may be just what he needs. You'll know tonight. :clover:

 

[Phacelia]

I didn't have time to take pictures today, but I did get a look at the kits. The little runt looks like he's catching up. His belly was nice and round.

I think he's going to be alright. Thanks again, everyone!

 

[Miss M]

:bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: