Skinny kits...

[faiththequeen]

Do you guys think the hot weather could be affecting my doe wanting to feed her kits. Its pretty hot (80s) and she must only be feeding them at night. They just don't seem super well fed to me. Most are okay looking, but a couple are kinda skinny. Like they missed last night's feeding. Should I wait one more night, since its so hot, or try to bring them all in and hold her over them? If so, how long should I hold her over them? thanks!

 

[skysthelimit]

Yes, hot weather can affect her milking ability.

 

[faiththequeen]

Thanks I brought them in and tried to flip her and let the couple skinnies eat. She certainly wasn't thrilled about it. The kit just kept going from nipple to nipple. I'm hoping that she just wasn't letting her milk down?? So I put a couple kits on a towel between my legs and put the doe over my knees. The only problem with this, is that I couldn't see and had no idea what was going on under there. I think they got some because they weren't quite as skinny. I'm hoping that helps til tonight anyways. When I had the doe flipped, I tried to see if I could get milk out of the nipple. I squeezed it a bit and once got a drop, but the other times didn't get anything. I'm worried about her not having milk, but I also don't know how to "milk" her. Hopefully its just me

 

[LauraNJ]

Give a little parsley. I was concerned about my one first time doe and her kits are fat. Really fat and at 5 weeks old they are still being nursed twice a day. They are as big as the 6 week old kits that our other doe had. I have cut the parsley out all together and am hoping she quits nursing them as I have already bred her back and wanted to sparate kits this weeks from her.

When I flipped her I had to put her in the trance first before she relaxed enough for the milk to let down. Otherwise the kits went from one nipple to the next just searching for milk. I only flipped her twice and then she had the hang of it and nursed them almost too well. I still checked them twice daily but I didn't have to help them nurse.

 

[faiththequeen]

Thanks, I'll definitely get some parsley I hope I have the same result!!!

 

[LauraNJ]

It worked for me and I am not always the greatest believer in holistic type things. My dh is but I am not. But I tried it and darned if it didn't work. So I am a believer in the parsley. I just gave a sprig of it once a day and I rinsed it so it was wet when I gave it. I thought the extra moisture would be good.

Hope it works for your doe.

 

[faiththequeen]

I picked up some kale as well. My last doe had a huge milk supply and I remember that I gave her kale everyday as a bribe to check the kits. Is kale good for milk supply? I havent had any around since this doe kindled. I gave her some parsley and kale just now.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Kale is in the brassica family and can cause gas, as does broccoli, cabbage, etc. Even though your other doe had no problems with the kale, do keep an eye on her.

Each rabbit will react differently- I gave my LH buck Kingston to a friend of mine recently, and she called me in a panic one day because he was all hunched up... she had given him kale (as well as her other rabbits) but he didn't take to it well. A good romp around the barn and some anti gas drops did the trick, and he is fine now.

I don't know how much calcium kale has compared to cabbage, but Hoodat swears by cabbage for increasing milk in his does.

 

[faiththequeen]

Hmmm... She has had kale quite a few times before and I've never noticed anything. But that wasn't after kindling, of course! I'll keep a close eye. Thanks, MSD

 

[MamaSheepdog]

If she has had it before, I wouldn't worry at all. I'm sure she has the gut flora for it.

 

[Bunnie]

It has been in the mid/upper 80s lately here with high humidity. But my babies are all fat Hopefully your doe comes around.

 

[faiththequeen]

WOOHOO!!! Went out to give everyone hay before bed and saw my doe out of the nestbox with a PLUMP kit still attached. I'm guessing I spooked her and she jumped out and that little one refused to let go. LOL! But I checked and all six had nice fat bellies!! YAY!!!! inkbunny: inkbunny: inkbunny: inkbunny: inkbunny: inkbunny: Let's hope she keeps it up! :yes:

 

[Marinea]

Wonderful update!

*fingers crossed for healthy fat kits*

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Whoo-hoo!

The milk bar has officially opened!

 

[faiththequeen]

Thanks! I'm so happy. This litter has some great colors I don't have. I don't want to lose any Not too mention, they're just so sweet and cute! I've already seen her feed them twice today! YIKES! :shock: Now they'll probably be too fat! LOL!

Edit: spelling