07/20/2026
Trust your instincts!!!
Kidding season is the most exciting part of owning goats, but it can also be stressful or even heartbreaking at times! Last night I was sitting on the patio and heard the cry’s of a baby goat. I knew Nina had her babies and ran to the barn to see (3) beautiful healthy babies. They were all nursing so I figured I would walk away and let them be. I have had many sets of triplets so knew they would be ok. The next morning I woke up and ran outside and they were all nursing, standing, and crying a bit. I thought they must have just woke up from a nap and was just all taking turns nursing/crying for a ni**le. I was working in the yard and would hear them crying often and when I checked on them they were nursing. After a few times of hearing them crying and walk in barn to see them nursing, I thought to myself, “Man, I wonder why I haven’t seen them really taking a nap and all they have done was nurse every time I walk in”. BUT they were all walking around and seemed very healthy. Two hours is all it took to walk in and see one from being very healthy looking lifeless. I immediately caught momma and milked her cause I knew sometimes wasn’t right. I was right! Her udder was hard and barely anything was coming out. I knew the babies needed milk asap. I milked one of my mommas that I just weaned her babies and took all the babies to my friends and we gave them B12, selenium, and bottle fed them. I lost my little tiny boy but tried everything to keep him alive. I was too late! That fast he was running around to lifeless! I was so upset with myself cause I knew something was right, but I hate pulling babies away from their mom if it’s not needed. Sometimes I can be overly paranoid, but not this time! Now I am treating momma for mastitis and keeping the two other babies on her but supplement bottle feeding them throughout the day/night. I am trying not to be so hard on myself cause my instincts were right all along, but just thought I was paranoid. I will use this as a tough learning experience to always trust your instincts!
RIP my little baby!!