Posting about my bassackwards calves got me to thinking about all the weird things that have happened during calving. Thought I would share a few.
Just as I walked into the barn to check cows I saw a calf drop down into a 100 gallon watering tank. Still can't figure how the cow got the calf high enough to drop it over the rim of the tank. She obviously only had the calf part way out and must have gotten up and swung around to go to her calf just a little too early. I fished the calf out and all was good. Lucky timing on my part. I make sure there are only small watering tubs that are never full now!
Where I used to live all the lots had high tensile fence. I woud always turn off the juice during calving. One year a cow calved near the fence and of course the calf went thru the fence and nose dived right into the creek. Lucky timing again saved the calf. Moved the cows to a different lot after that.
There is one way of loosing a calf that drives me the most insane; having it born alive then suffocating in the afterbirth. I always keep a knife in my pocket and keep the showstich nearby during calving. The hook on the showstick is pretty handy for tearing the placenta. Making sure the cows get enough selenium hepls in prevention.
Had a cow decide to calve with her fanny against a hay ring. When I found her, she was DOWN on her side, fanny still against the hay ring and placenta hanging out her southbound end. Well, it took me a minute to figure out the calf was lying around on the other side of the ring with one of those looks like I think someone is supposed to come and help me. The way the cow was struggling to get up, I was sure she did not have obturator nerve paralysis, so I got her up enough to put a bale of straw behind her. Then I put a halter on her and pulled; she finally got her feet under her and up she came. One more reason I check my maternity ward every two hours.
Well, I have more, but I would love to hear some of your stories. Maybe if we share our train wrecks we can help others prevent problems.
Good day to all,
Malinda
Just as I walked into the barn to check cows I saw a calf drop down into a 100 gallon watering tank. Still can't figure how the cow got the calf high enough to drop it over the rim of the tank. She obviously only had the calf part way out and must have gotten up and swung around to go to her calf just a little too early. I fished the calf out and all was good. Lucky timing on my part. I make sure there are only small watering tubs that are never full now!
Where I used to live all the lots had high tensile fence. I woud always turn off the juice during calving. One year a cow calved near the fence and of course the calf went thru the fence and nose dived right into the creek. Lucky timing again saved the calf. Moved the cows to a different lot after that.
There is one way of loosing a calf that drives me the most insane; having it born alive then suffocating in the afterbirth. I always keep a knife in my pocket and keep the showstich nearby during calving. The hook on the showstick is pretty handy for tearing the placenta. Making sure the cows get enough selenium hepls in prevention.
Had a cow decide to calve with her fanny against a hay ring. When I found her, she was DOWN on her side, fanny still against the hay ring and placenta hanging out her southbound end. Well, it took me a minute to figure out the calf was lying around on the other side of the ring with one of those looks like I think someone is supposed to come and help me. The way the cow was struggling to get up, I was sure she did not have obturator nerve paralysis, so I got her up enough to put a bale of straw behind her. Then I put a halter on her and pulled; she finally got her feet under her and up she came. One more reason I check my maternity ward every two hours.
Well, I have more, but I would love to hear some of your stories. Maybe if we share our train wrecks we can help others prevent problems.
Good day to all,
Malinda