Lethargic Mama's?

I have a first time mama to give triplets Wednesday morning. I waited till that afternoon prior to the twelve hour mark to tag and give shots ect. One big girl and two runty bucks. I fixed a bottle and the bigger of the two bucks drank 2 oz. The smaller of the two I could not get to drink and I also noticed he had a reasonable amount of bowel movement set up on his tail. My first thoughts is that he is getting no attention. I moved all three babies and mama in a 100'x250' pen. I also put a couple of my deer pets in with her to keep her calm or help out when they freshen. I just checked them and the mom was up with them however I cannot catch her feeding them. I offered the bottle to all three but only both bucks drank. They both got 2 to 2 1/2 oz each. What I noticed on the smallest one was that mama had just about cleaned its tail and rear clean. My concern is since the two runts r so small that I question if they can reach long legged mama right now. If I help feed them three times a day till they r big enough to reach mama, will she finish caring for them till weaning or not? Her milk bag don't look all that big and keep in mind its her first time! Any comments or suggestions appreciated - Jason DCW

Thanks for sharing sdbigbucks. I'm not new to this kind of thing, its just I've taken for granted being blessed with good mamas over the years. Ive bottle raised in the past , Its that i dont have the time to. Good mamas + proven big sons on ground + pedigree +DNA equals perfection in my book.

Ok guys,great news! I saw her nursing the biggest fawn. While she was nursing, her son walked up and nursed. I was ecstatic to say the least. I think ill still sneak a bottle till they are big enough to satisfy me. Imprinting if you will. To answer your question sdbigbucks, I had a doe today (about to pop) and she was definitely acting Moody! If any deer came anywhere around her last year's son, she would knock fire from em! I m thinking she s getting close. 6:15pm today kaboom! Babies!!!! She is a Sudden Impact daughter that freshened to 2-Free Agent's !!! I will post what she had in the morning! Thanks for the advice Wayne. Hope all is going well on everybody else's farm.-Jason DCW

Tim I agree its something that should be given before the twelfth hour. With that said sufficient time And space to nurse and bond as well. Thanks for your input. Oh by the way, triplets on them Free Agent's -1 girl 2 boys. Get this, the biggest one died! I guess mom laid on it and smothered it as it was still laying in the birthing site. It had been cleaned ambil. Cord and all. $%@& happens! Always to the best. In the words of Rusty Carroll-"ill take the runt every time"!

I believe all three are going to make it just fine. I've been supplementing them two boys twice a day. I have noticed mom is feeding all three. I'm just helping out. Getting them healthy faster. They are growing like weeds! Susan that is exactly how I feel.