BlueGiants
Well-Known Member
If you want to try, massage the nipple a little and gently stroke downward, kind of like you'd milk a cow, but much gentler. You will usually get a drop or two of milk to express. Have the baby right there and try putting it up against the milk, kind of rub it's mouth on it. Sometimes that works to get a baby to suckle.
I was afraid to mention the idea that she didn't reject the babies, but you may haveended up with a litter with a majority of "double dwarf" babies. (Strong dwarfing genes in your pair, Paul!)
But I suspect that may be what happened. "Peanuts" (called that because they tend to look like a peanut when born), inherit a dwarfing gene from both parents. Unfortunately, it is always fatal, usually within a week after birth. It is believed that they can not process any nutrients. They generally do not even try to eat.
I was afraid to mention the idea that she didn't reject the babies, but you may haveended up with a litter with a majority of "double dwarf" babies. (Strong dwarfing genes in your pair, Paul!)
But I suspect that may be what happened. "Peanuts" (called that because they tend to look like a peanut when born), inherit a dwarfing gene from both parents. Unfortunately, it is always fatal, usually within a week after birth. It is believed that they can not process any nutrients. They generally do not even try to eat.
