Heifer- What to Do

[NBL]

Had a heifer calve out last night, one front leg was back under the calf and didn't allow it to come out.  Had to pull the calf but it didn't make it - If legs were both point the right way, she could have had it fine.  Question - I don't have an extra calf to put on her but I would really like to keep the heifer - What are the chances of her milking well on her next calf if she doesn't raise a calf the first time.  Thanks for you help and suggestions. 

 

[FarmerWanna-Be]

I dont know if it would have work in your case but you can sometimes reach in and find the leg that is back and wrap your hand around the hoof and pull if out into the correct position. You have to wrap your hand around the hoof so when you pull it around it doesnt damage the uterus. Sorry to hear about your loss. I would think she would milk fine on her next calf. We have had heifers that lost calves or didnt calve their first time around and the next year had calves that grew just fine.

 

[chambero]

She'll be just fine for second calf.  Milking won't be an issue.  Happens all the time with heifers unfortunately.  If you deal with heifers, you are going to lose calves sometimes. 

 

[Jenny]

just for next time, when this happens, you push the calf back inside the
cow as far as you can to give yourself room to reach in and down and find
that leg that is back; like the above poster said, cup your hand around the hoof
and bring the leg up where is should be.
the uterus is easy to tear and that is why you protect it from the hoof you are
bringing up and forward.