03/26/2025
Last night, while I was fast asleep, Nala delivered her kids in the midst of a freezing night, with temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit. True to her unpredictable nature, Nala once again outsmarted me. Every year, I believe I have more time before she begins kidding, and every year, she surprises me. This time, I was certain I had at least three to four hours before her labor progressed, but she proved me wrong.
As someone who strives to be present during birthing to provide immediate assistance if complications arise, I went to bed at 9:15 PM, setting an alarm for 11:45 PM to check on her. When my alarm rang, I checked the camera monitoring her birthing stall, only to see two babies already on the ground. One was up and wandering, appearing dry, while the other—a much smaller and seemingly fragile newborn—lay motionless on the ground. My heart sank as I prepared myself for the worst.
Racing to Nala's maternity stall, I found the tiny kid alive but alarmingly cold. His legs felt like icicles in my hands, and I knew I had mere moments to act if he was to have any chance of survival. Without hesitation, I grabbed a mylar blanket, a proven lifesaver in such situations, and activated the heat barrel equipped with a safely positioned heat lamp. I wrapped him in the mylar blanket, rubbed him vigorously to stimulate circulation and dry him, and placed him in the warmth of the barrel. Sitting beside him, I monitored his condition closely while ensuring he received the necessary heat to recover.
Recognizing the urgency of his situation, I dashed into the house to prepare warm molasses water for Nala and a concoction for the kid—a mix of Karo syrup and cayenne pepper. This combination is critical: the syrup boosts his sugar levels and energy, while cayenne pepper provides immediate internal warmth. Additionally, I grabbed B vitamin paste to stimulate his appetite. By this time, two hours had passed since his birth, yet he had still not received colostrum, the vital first milk rich in antibodies. I knew the urgency of feeding him but was acutely aware that cold animals cannot be fed until their body temperature stabilizes to ensure proper digestion and prevent further harm.
Thanks to the mylar blanket paired with the heat lamp, his temperature rose steadily. The moment his body warmed up, he was transformed—hungry, active, and even walking. His cries caught Nala's attention, and she promptly began nursing him. My earlier fears of rejection were unfounded; she simply hadn't realized his needs due to being preoccupied with his larger sibling.
Today, both kids are thriving under Nala's watchful care. The tiny one has found a cozy refuge in the heat barrel alongside his big sister. Nala is attentive, nurturing, and proving to be an exceptional mother. This experience underscored the importance of preparation and continuous education in animal husbandry. Emergencies like this require not just supplies but also knowledge and confidence to act decisively.
For anyone raising goats or caring for animals, I strongly recommend keeping mylar blankets paired with a reliable heat source on hand for warming cases of hypothermia. Equally essential is educating yourself as thoroughly as possible to be ready for the unexpected. It is this combination of preparation and knowledge that empowers us to save lives and provide the best care possible when it matters most.