Mystery Solved

I recently put the animals on a lower protein hay, which has helped some of the "easy keepers" to maintain a good weight. Despite the new hay though, my buck, Tamarack, has been getting chubbier and chubbier. It was driving me crazy that I couldn't figure out how on earth he was managing to stay so slick and portly while on this dry hay. Yeah, sure the does all look great on the hay, but this guy looks like he's been getting extra snacks somewhere. 

Tonight while watching the animals before turning the lights off, I figured the mystery out. Two does were in standing heat (meaning "ready and willing to be bred") and while performing his courting gestures, Tamarack slyly started nursing off of the unsuspecting doe! He did this on both girls, who were more than disgruntled at his tricks, but my goodness did that boy have a smirk on his face. It's all crystal clear now... He's been snitching milk from my girls, which is why he's suddenly gained weight and why I've had a sudden lack of milk in my pail. The little stinker.