Need weaning information

clippity_clop · Member Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 148 Location: East Coast

I'm not sure I'm posting in the right area but need advice on weaning a filly. We separated her from the rest of the herd but left her with a donkey that she loves for company. We kept them apart for nearly a month and my husband was sure Mom had no more milk.

when we first put them all back together, we observed mom not allowing her to nurse so we thought all was well. Then, approximately 2 to 3 days after re-joining them all, mom ends up with more milk and is letting her nurse again. Crying or Very sad

How long does it take to wean and is there any product that would make the mom's milk go away? Really any advice would be appreciated.

Robyn

Turn N Burn · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

really i would suggest leaving them apart for about 5 to 6 months. we had a yearling that had been separated from her mom for a little less than 5 months and we put her mom in the pen next to her. it was a cable fence, not panel and not a hot wire, and she would nicker at her mom and she would come side up to the fence and let her nurse!! it was really kinda funny to watch but we separated them again. hope this helps!!
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dqh · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

I keep them separated for at least two months.
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clippity_clop · Member Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 148 Location: East Coast

Thanks guys for the help!

Turn N Burn · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject:

definately start all over, no matter how long you are going to keep them separated. we just leave them separated over the winter b/c we have 3 three stall barns with runs so we dont have a problem with that and we also usually have more than one to wean at the same time and that makes it alot easier on them.
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dqh · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:35 pm Post subject:

Yes you will have to start all over again.
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clippity_clop · Member Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 148 Location: East Coast

Thanks guys for the help. This is my husband's filly and for some reason he has left her with the mare. He said at first she was nursing but now he hasn't seen her nurse in a few days so I am hoping maybe there wasn't enough milk or it didn't taste as good as before. Will keep an eye out and see what happens. Our mare is still too fat so it isn't like nursing is bringing her down or anything. Still I'd like this filly to be weaned off her.

clippity_clop · Member Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 148 Location: East Coast

As predicted, the filly did not stop nursing. Now she is separated again. We have finally used enough of the hay stored in the barn to get her stalled. Thanks again everyone for the advice!

EAhola · Member Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Posts: 152 Location: Colorado

For some mares, if they can still see/smell their offspring they will not dry up.

You can always check the mare yourself before introducing the filly.

Good Luck
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clippity_clop · Member Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 148 Location: East Coast

I think that may be the problem. At first we checked her and she did not have milk. Two days after re-introduction she has milk again and a month after separation She still has milk! The bad thing is we don't have any where to keep the filly where they can't see or smell each other. I guess it will just take longer ;o(...