Although there are year-round management strategies that can impact calving season success, here are some short-term, in-the-moment calving tips for success this year.
Prepare a calving kit. The last thing you want to be is unprepared during calving season. Having all calving equipment clean and ready to use during calving season will prevent last-minute scrambling and stress. Here are some things to keep in the kit:
- Water-based lubricant
- Obstetrical (OB) sleeves
- Pulling chains (one 60-inch or two 30-inch) with two handles
- Bucket/pail (with access to water)
- Disinfectant
- Iodine for calf navel treatment
- Colostrum replacer
- Tube feeder
- Towels and paper towels
- Supplements and pharmaceuticals as prescribed, with appropriate needle gauge and syringe
Check gates and facilities to ensure they are functional. Keep a calving record book to record dates, weights, medications and any calving difficulties that later may be used to make culling decisions.
Knowing when to assist is not always easy, especially if you aren’t sure how long a cow has been in labor. However, a good rule is if a cow is in active labor (water has broken), she should calve within 30 minutes. If 30 minutes has passed without any progress from the cow, assistance might be necessary. For first-calf heifers, generally 60 minutes is given before assistance. In the instance of a cow or calf in noticeable distress, (such as rectal bleeding, calves with swollen tongue, improperly positioned calf) intervene right away.
After deciding to assist, check the position of the calf (slowly correct if possible) as well as if the calf is alive and reflexive. When pulling, be sure to use plenty of OB lube and work with the cow. Pull as the cow contracts to prevent unnecessary strain. Other tips for assisting in a birth:
- Be clean! Be gentle! Be patient!
- Increase dilation by massaging the vagina.
- Double hook chains above and below fetlock joint.
- Alternate pulling on legs (helps shoulders come through a smaller pelvis).
- Pull out and down.
- If calf becomes hip-locked, rotate the calf 45 degrees and then pull.
- Use calf puller only if necessary. A calf puller will put extreme strain on the cow and the calf.
Be observant. The first 48 hours after birth is crucial for the calf. Ensure calves are nursing in the first 12 hours. Ideally, colostrum is consumed in the first four to six hours after birth. Colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, provides passive immunity from dam to calf, which will give the calf the greatest protection against disease. Calves have approximately a 24-hour window for colostrum to be absorbed. Observe the dam and calf behavior and intervene with a colostrum replacer if necessary. As always, consult with your veterinarian to establish calving protocols and postnatal care plans.
