On-farm calving management protocol
Dairy Herd news source | Updated: 11/24/2009
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- Move cow/heifer to calving pasture 3-4 weeks before due date. Be ready to move her to an individual calving pen (if facilities allow) as calving commences.
- Post a list with due dates.
- Observe for signs of calving first thing in the morning and just before dark, and every 2 to 4 hours in between.
- Labor starts when the first water bag breaks:
- Allow cows 1- 4 hours before assistance; must make some progress during this time.
- Allow heifers 2 - 6 hours before assistance: must make some progress during this time.
- When there is no progress:
- Examine the birth canal after washing the heifer and your arms, using lots of lubrication.
- Remember: CLEANLINESS and LUBRICATION are critical
- Next, determine whether the calf is coming head-first or backwards, and whether both legs are present and extended
- Rules for deciding if there is enough room to pull the calf:
- When head-first: if you can pull both pasterns 5 inches outside the vulva.
- When backwards: if you can get both hocks to show at the vulva.
- If there is not enough room, call your veterinarian.
- Do not pull calves in a chute or in a lane. Put a halter on the cow or heifer and tie her low to a fence post or restrain her in the individual calving pen.
- Casting the cow before pulling is an advantage.
- When pulling, pull only when the heifer/cow strains.
- After the calf has been delivered:
- Make sure it is breathing — clean the nostrils, dump cold water on head.
- Check heifer/cow for another calf and for vaginal tears.
- Give the cow 1 cubic centimeter (cc) of oxytocin intermuscularly
- Check udder for colostrum and mastitis.
- Treat the calf’s navel with tincture of iodine (7 percent).
- Weigh the calf and record result.
- Tag the calf and record number in your records.
- Make sure the calf gets colostrum within two hours of birth.
- Record the degree of calving difficulty:
- Normal, unassisted calving
- Easy pull or correction of head/limb.
- Hard pull, two men required.
- Very hard pull /calf puller.
- Very hard pull /calf puller.
- Cesarean section.
- Supplies:
- Rope halter
- Lube
- Calf puller
- Casting rope
- Vaseline
- Calf scale
- Tail rope
- Nolvasan
- Mats
- Curry comb
- Tincture of Iodine 7 percent
- Cabinet
- Hose with nozzle
- Soap (30 and 60 inches)
- Chains, 2 short, 1 long
- Buckets (2)
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