Will doe hurt kits trying nurse?

[Joe n TN]

The kits are two weeks old and coming out of the nest box regularly now. This is a first time mom and she does not like them trying to nurse when she is out of the nest. I watched her jump up away and she did not seem to be trying to be gentle at all. Have you had a first time mother kill/injure kits when trying to stop them from nursing?

My other doe has been the ideal mother. When her kits would bug her she just grunted a bit and/or gently nudged them back into the nest. This one hasn't been as nice.

Any comments, tips, suggestions will be welcomed. Thanks,

Joe

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would give her a way to get away from the kits- nestbox turned upside down, a shelf she can jump onto, etc. I have plant pots suspended from the tops of my cages that the does can escape to when the kits come out, and of course they use them as a resting place with or without kits.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Mamasheepdog, that is an EXCELLENT idea, I may have to borrow it for my own does.

 

[ladysown]

Ditto what MSD said. easily solves the problem.