CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Genetics & Breeding => Topic started by: Sophie on August 12, 2003, 01:25:38 PM
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My Pups are now 2 1/2 weeks old and seem to be doing fine but their mum is getting very tired and a little disinterested in feeding them. She has to be encouraged to go to them and let them suckle. There seems to be plenty of milk but she is still a little sore. We are considering starting to wean the pups to help out a bit so to speak.
Would welcome comments and suggestions
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Hi you two! Im afraid I have no experience if this, however I know Jane and a few others breed so they might be able to help. I have heard of people doing this to help them along!!!!
Anyone have any ideas????
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Hi Steve
Hopefully you will already have a copy of "The Book of The Bitch" on hand as this provides a lot of info about weaning puppies etc. You might also find this online article useful: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cl...1&articleid=887 (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1651&articleid=887) There is no exact time when weaning should commence - it depends on how many puppies, how much milk Mum has etc. Most breeders commence weaning when a litter is between 2-3 weeks old & all have their own way of doing this, depending on what sort of diet they intend to feed their puppies.
Jane
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Hi Christine and Jane
Thanks for your input. Jane, yes we have the Book of the Bitch and a great help it has been already!
Sophie is managing ok at present but is having to be encouraged to go in with the pups to feed them. Its not a milk problem as there seems to be plenty and the pups are putting on one or two ounces every day. We thought that we would start with a farleys rusk and whelpi? Unless you think we should wait a little, I plan to start on Monday.
Thanks again
Steve
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Watch those Farleys Rusks Steve - the sugar content isn't good for puppies (can make them a bit "loose") though I think you can get unsweetened ones now. If the pups are getting plenty of milk from Mum, then I would be concentrating on introducing them to either meat or a good quality puppy kibble, but that's just my way of doing things ;)
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Hi Jane
Thanks for the tip. We have decided to go for a puppy food rather than the rusks. Wish us luck!!
Cheers
Steve
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Hi Steve,
Don't forget to soak and mash the kibble down first, and only VERY small amounts to start with.............Good Luck ;D
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Hi all
We used Eukanuba puppy food soaked in water and quite sloppy. What a great moment! Once they realised it was food, it was like a scrum. Fantastic! They ate it all but were not too keen on the water we offered them. They are all sleeping now. So is Sophie ( glad of the break I should think).
Should we give them this food 3 or 4 times a day from the begining of gradualy introduce more feeds as the days go on?
Once again would be grateful for advice and comments.
Steve
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They'll get used to the water if you just leave a bowl in their pen from now on & let them experiment for themselves (can get messy ;D)
Weaning is a v slow process - it normally takes 3 or more weeks to move from v small meals once or twice a day to bigger meals 4-5 times a day. So don't rush things - keep the meals v small to begin with & only once/twice a day for the first few days, then gradually increase the amount & frequency as time goes on & as you're confident that the pups' tummies can cope with more (give them too much too soon & you can end up with the whole litter getting the runs :()