Some questions about taking the kit to the doe and fostering

[ckcs]

My Lionhead recently had 3 kits. One kit seems a little smaller than the other 2. The doe is feeding them but I worry the little one is not getting their share. I don't know exactly how one takes a kit to the doe and how long do they feed. I tried tonight flipping the doe and my daughter placed the kit by a nipple and the kit took to it immediately. They fed for maybe 10-15 seconds. I'm not sure how long it takes. Would it be a good idea to take the smaller kit to the doe once or twice during the day or will it work it self out? I have another doe that kindled a week ago that I could let the kit nurse off.

 

[Fire-Man]

My Lionhead recently had 3 kits. One kit seems a little smaller than the other 2. The doe is feeding them but I worry the little one is not getting their share. I don't know exactly how one takes a kit to the doe and how long do they feed. I tried tonight flipping the doe and my daughter placed the kit by a nipple and the kit took to it immediately. They fed for maybe 10-15 seconds. I'm not sure how long it takes. Would it be a good idea to take the smaller kit to the doe once or twice during the day or will it work it self out? I have another doe that kindled a week ago that I could let the kit nurse off.

Wouldn't you just be pissed if you had 3 babies and DSS stepped in trying to tell/show you how to feed the smaller one of them, when you are feeding it? LOL. Being born small does not mean it is not being fed, let her take care of them. Check the kits stomack 2 or 3 times aday. If it is rounded looking it is being fed, If it is all drawed in, wrinkled every time you check--you might better help. Being she only had 3 instead of a dozen-it should be ok. But Keep a Check on it for a couple days.

 

[Bad Habit]

I always step in and make sure the smallest has the most to eat. By the time my kits are leaving the nest box, they're all about the same time.

I find it best to flip the doe when she is very full of milk, as she can't stop the flow then. I then flip the doe, help the baby find a nipple, and then use both hands to prevent the doe from kicking. My Hannah is used to it at this point, and won't kick at all. I usually give the baby a few minutes at the buffet then put them away, and give the doe a treat for being such a patient, good girl. You will see the little kit grow quickly, I find it only takes a few days to help it catch up.

For me, though, it's not that the kit is not eating - it obviously is getting some when nursing, but the dedicated extra feedings help it catch up in size.

 

[skysthelimit]

I don't interfere at all with small ones. They usually live or die, survive and catch up later.

 

[AnnClaire]

Just because a kit is smaller doesn't mean that it isn't fighting for it's fair share! I have one that is 1/3 the size of the litter mates, but he comes back from feeding with a full belly every time! Just keep an eye on it and if it doesn't have a full belly each time the other kits does, then, you might think about holding the other kits back every other feeding for a couple of times to give the runt a bit extra.

As with anything to do with animals, watch first, then try the least interferring, going up in nature as needed.