Sometimes It Happens

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you pray, you lose a animal. Today Blackie, one of our Nigerian Dwarf goats showed signs of early labor. She wanted to be away from the herd. She was stretching,pawing, staring off into space for several seconds at a time. We put down fresh bedding and straw in the stall next to Sissy and Lexie (momma and baby from yesterday). Since it was still early labor I gave her a bucket of warm molasses water, a little grain, and a slice of bread. She nibbled on her bread, ate all her grain and drank a few sips of water. Then the labor really started.

Blackie started out in the corner on her side pushing her head against the wall. Then the contractions became stronger and as this was her first she was scared and started moving around. Wondering what was going on in her body she would look at us as if she wanted us to make it go away.

Her labor went on for about 15 minutes when we saw that the kid wasn't going to go be able to be born on its own. William went in to help and Blackie sensing that we were there to help didn't mind at all.

The baby goats head was too big and one leg was bent back. William worked for almost 5 minutes getting it out though we knew she was already dead. There was no movement when he went in to help the baby goat. When he finally got her out with Blackie doing wonderfully in pushing or laying still at just the right times, we cleaned her nose and mouth, suctioned, turned her upside down, shook her, rubbed her, even did CPR but couldn't get the little doeling to draw the first breath. Sometimes your best just isn't good enough and you aren't able to save a baby goat. This darling baby goat was big. Blackie is a Nigerian Dwarf and the only bucks we have are Nigerian Dwarf. Nigerian Dwarf have very tiny babies compared to regular size goats. This baby goat was the size of a regular baby goat.  We understood why Blackie couldn't deliver her on her own. The only thing we can figure is in the genetics somewhere in Blackie or Little Man made this baby goat be bigger than a normal dwarf goat baby. It was heartbreaking for us. As soon as she was born Blackie knew. She didn't try to see her or help clean her. She just turned her head away.After we stopped working on the baby goat and cleaned everything up Blackie got up and drank some warm molasses water and ate a little grain before laying down again to rest. I have been out several times and she is doing well. I worried about Sissy being in the next stall with her baby but Blackie isn't paying them any attention. Below  are a couple of photos of  Blackies baby girl if you choose to scroll down. I am writing this post because several of my blog neighbors are starting their kidding season. Some for the first time. I want them to know that no matter how many years you have been doing this, no matter how experienced you are there are going to be times like this. You cry, your heart is aching, you even feel like you should have done more or tried something different. Understand that  sometimes it just happens. Sometimes its just not meant to be. You don't forget this little one. You mourn because it was part of your animal family. You comfort and give a little extra love to the momma goat and you find you have the strength , courage, and faith for the next kidding due anytime. It's a part of life that none of us want but have to accept and know we did our best.  Blackie did her best and next year I know she will have that baby she tried hard to have this year.










Little Frosty may not have taken her first breath but she is loved and will be missed very much. And will always be a part of Hidden Haven.