Question about fostering kits

[coffeenutdesigns]

Okay, just checked doe 1 with the 13 kits and all the popples look good and active, but some of the smaller guys don't look like they got full tummies.

About to go check mama 2, with 7 babies, but I did catch her sitting in the nest box yesterday and she has been attentive, so I anticipate finding fed kits.

The kits from Mama 2 are bigger on average than the ones from Mama 1, which makes sense since she had a smaller litter. I am leaning towards taking 3 of the larger kits from the big litter to add in to the smaller ones, but I am wondering if I should maybe I should actually exchange kits and put all the smallest babies in one box so they don't have to fight so hard. Would that put too much strain on the mom with the big kits and how do I decide which mom gets the big ones? These are freezer babies for the most part, unless I find a buck I like out of them (preferably from the mom with the big litter).<br /><br />__________ Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:45 am __________<br /><br />Also, they are eager for BOSS and oats more than pellets and hay....how much should they be getting daily. They have free feed pellets and hay. Also, I have been giving a few sprigs of parsley when I check the babies, how much of that should I give?

Thanks for any answers and all patience with me

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Coffeenut, take the largest three from Doe 1 and foster them to Doe 2. I give 1-2 Tblsp of BOSS or 1/4 cup of oats and I feed it separately from their pellets. I don't start free feeding the does until the kits are 3-4 days old. Parsley is good for their milk supply, so you can give them that daily.

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

OAC, how much parsley daily?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

OAC, how much parsley daily?

Well, I would give a good size stalk or two, once or twice daily...if they are used to getting greens.

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

They are. That is about what I have been giving.

I didn't move any yet. Doe 2 was busy pulling more fur (again) when I went back out, and then she was in the box when I checked again, so I didn't want to bother her yet or make anyone miss a feeding. I'll check again in a little bit and move them before the evening/night feeding.<br /><br />__________ Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:30 am __________<br /><br />Well,she had a much puffier nest. She has been pulling more and more fur. All her kits were fat and happy and looked good so they got 3 new brothers or sisters. I rechecked the first doe's litter and they all looked well fed except one poor little guy. He was still energetic, so hopefully he'll get a tummy full tonite since he won't have to fight so hard.

I tried sexing them...I'm hopeless. That and they are very wriggly!!!