I had a doe kindle last night and she gave birth to the single biggest kit I have ever seen. Easily two and one half times normal. The kit was dead, and she had passed her afterbirth. There was blood on the kit, too, but it didn't look as though she tried to eat it. This doe has given me two litters previously and was bred to a first timer buck, although she doesn't birth huge litters (5), she has been a great mother. Is this possibly giantism? I have another doe bred to the same buck...any ideas? Thanks in advance!!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), January 23, 2002

Answers

The problem is low fertility in the buck,is he old enough??If there is only one kit it will be large.

-- Sheryl (timt@arkansas.net), January 23, 2002.

Not necessarily due to low fertility of the buck, as it can sometimes be the doe nearing her end of her productivity, even though she has only had two other litters. You stated that the buck was a "first timer," but neglected to give the age of the doe.

Likewise, gigantism is simply caused by small litters, wherein the one kit receives all the nutrients meant for a larger litter. This can sometimes be caused by allowing the buck to make only one contact instead of two. I'd give both her and the buck another chance, but do try that buck on a different doe, too, just to be sure.

Pat Lamar

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), January 23, 2002.

The buck is 8 months and the doe is 2 1/2 years. I purchased her as part of my start up last spring and the buck was out of a unrelated breeding. I should know fairly soon about the buck as I just bred him with a doe hwo recently weaned her litter. Thanks!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), January 23, 2002.