Early Calving

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SKF

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Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
1,057
We have a cow that is due April 17th with her 3rd calf. Her first calf came 6 weeks early and did not make it then the second time she had twins that came almost a month early. The twins despite being early and so small at birth they caught up have done really well. She is a good cow that we spent good money on so that's why I have kept her around this long. Any advise about anything we can do to help her make it full term this time? My vet did not know why she has calved early both times. So I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Hoping it was just a freak thing and never happens again but, if it does she will have to go. So far she has only been out in the pasture on grass but, I am bringing her up to the barn beginning of next month. Thank you!
 

Till-Hill

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Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
690
Location
Waterville, Iowa
Not sure I can help much but had Holstein heifer calve 20+ days early last year both fine. Freak deal. This year 18 days early different sires both heifers both very good vigor  and yearling fits right in her age group .....Now I know to watch this cow!
 

Carlson Cattle

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Apr 27, 2012
Messages
889
depends on where you are located but I've been hearing the cold is causing early calving
 

HavinABlast

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Joined
Aug 25, 2013
Messages
59
Have your vet check her hormone levels.  An early drop in progesterone can lead to early labour.  If she has done this repeatedly she may need to be supplemented.  It is worth discussing with your veterinarian.
 

Pleasant Grove Farms

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Joined
Sep 19, 2011
Messages
199
I would say the cow has just had bad luck;
when we have a 6 week early calf, we write it off as an abortion; we have never had a cow do this twice.
twins can be tough to carry to term; just as in ppl, twins are likely to be born early because of all the weight and volume in the cow's uterus.
hope she has just a pregnancy this time; bet she will and everything will go fine.
 

SKF

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Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
1,057
Thank you everyone! We live to far south for cold to be a factor but, I am going to talk to my vet about possibly being a hormone problem. Really hoping it was just a freak thing and that this time everything will go fine and I will have a healthy calf in April. Really excited about this one so keeping my fingers crossed.  :)
 
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