Calving Intervention - When?

sjewart

Member
So I realise this is basic stuff but all the same I'd rather ask than be sorry.

What checklist do you guys go by when HEIFERS start calving?

I watch for the water bag, wait for it to burst then give an hour for her to calve before intervening.

I'd then check that the calf is presenting itself properly and try to calve her.

Appreciate a checklist of what you guys do and when.
 
Assisted 12 cows out of 700 last spring, 3 of those were heifers and 170 heifers were in that 700.

Every time a new member of staff starts there desperate to dive in with the calving aid, leave the bloody animal alone!

If I see back feet I assist but if I see a nose and feet let her carry on, just think about human women, some take and hour and some take 14hrs, I’d rather a dead calf than a cow/heifer with a retained cleansing that doesn’t want to cycle and won’t get back in calf again
 
So I realise this is basic stuff but all the same I'd rather ask than be sorry.

What checklist do you guys go by when HEIFERS start calving?

I watch for the water bag, wait for it to burst then give an hour for her to calve before intervening.

I'd then check that the calf is presenting itself properly and try to calve her.

Appreciate a checklist of what you guys do and when.
But I assume you're still working with these very terminal type heifers @sjewart ?
 
Location
East Mids
I'm happy for them to take far longer than that, if no progress for an hour after bag is out then check presented correctly. If she is making progress, moving about, pushing and calf does not appear distressed I'm quite happy for 5-6 hours in total. Obviously once out at the shoulders then will dive in quickly if needed in case it hangs at the hips. Often they just take time to open up and diving in to calve them is going to cause damage.
I'll add an edit to that, as it's not clear in my text, after checking presented correctly (which is essential if she's not making progress) then I like to check her at least every hour within that overall timeframe. (It reads at bit as if I'd check them after the first hour and then not again until 5 hrs).
 
Last edited:

sjewart

Member
I'm happy for them to take far longer than that, if no progress for an hour after bag is out then check presented correctly. If she is making progress, moving about, pushing and calf does not appear distressed I'm quite happy for 5-6 hours in total. Obviously once out at the shoulders then will dive in quickly if needed in case it hangs at the hips. Often they just take time to open up and diving in to calve them is going to cause damage.
That's way longer than I would have dared.... good to know [emoji4]
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
Assisted 12 cows out of 700 last spring, 3 of those were heifers and 170 heifers were in that 700.

Every time a new member of staff starts there desperate to dive in with the calving aid, leave the bloody animal alone!

If I see back feet I assist but if I see a nose and feet let her carry on, just think about human women, some take and hour and some take 14hrs, I’d rather a dead calf than a cow/heifer with a retained cleansing that doesn’t want to cycle and won’t get back in calf again
700!!! Rather you than me, bloody hell. Heifers are sods at times, moan like there dying then jump up and bugger off when you have helped them . As long as there coming correctly i try to leave them alone and keep out of sight but i wouldnt leave them more than two hours myself after seeing the feet. I agree far more cows are hurt by people jacking them out too soon though.
 

Dr. Alkathene

Member
Livestock Farmer
Have found less is more with heifers. If correct presentation will leave 4 or 5 hours if they look to be getting on with it. Keep an eye on if during the day, will sometimes intervene early if going to be away fencing, moving stock etc.

I take the view the calf has been in there fine for 9 months, a few more hours provided it is presented ok is unlikely to do it any harm.
 

sjewart

Member
You would not believe the number of times vets get called to a sick cow that has recently calved where the root cause is a second calf that didn't make it out alive.. if nothing else, put a hand in to check there isn't a second or third. Happens more often than I think we realise.
Mine are scanned singles [emoji106]
 
Tags
calf

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 80 42.3%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 66 34.9%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 15.9%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,292
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top