Settling in the new guys...

Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: South Texas

We monitor the births of our babies, and sneak them away from mama as soon as they have a good feed of colostrum. They are much easier to bottle-feed and socialize that way. The moms are usually just as interested in getting back with the boys as they are keeping the kiddos, so they don't seem to grieve any if they don't get to know the lil ones.

Our house muntjacs, we let keep the babies, and give the newborns a supplemental bottle once a day to keep them lovie.

After trying several different formulas, etc we have found that raw goats' milk is the best diet for these little guys. Kind of handy, as we have a commercial home dairy! Failing a natural source, tinned or refrigerator section goat milk will do.

One of our dairy suppliers has a specialty nipple designed to be used with premie dwarf goats that is PERFECT for fitting a tiny mouth, and oh-so-soft. Our fawns take to this style with no fight. I'll see if I can find a link for the supplier if anyone is interested.