Heifers that kill their own calf at birth

[Farmergiles11]

Have a three year old pedigree that has just had her second calf.

First calf, born healthy - an hour later she had sat on it and killed it. She was just literally sat on top of it.
Second calf born yesterday evening- calf was dead when I got there, but didn’t look like it had a stressful birth at all. Cow was stood up cleansing. I suspect she has done the same to this one.

Once last years calf was dead, she was put out to grass with rest of the herd, put back in calf and spent 10 months feeding anything that came near her. She spent all last night sat next to the dead calf.

Is this a thing? Are there cows that just kill their newborns? Or is this cow just unlucky?

 

[Werzle]

I have had hfrs that roar and try to pin their newborn calf to the floor everytime it moves just because the hfrs are new to motherhood , usually put the calf behind a hurdle until the hormones have calmed down. I would cull your cow!

 

[steveR]

Bummer.

One is misfortune, twice is on the wagon.

 

[Farmergiles11]

I have had hfrs that roar and try to pin their newborn calf to the floor everytime it moves just because the hfrs are new to motherhood , usually put the calf behind a hurdle until the hormones have calmed down. I would cull your cow!

Yes, I think that is the general consensus. The intention was to get her in to calve in case it happened again, but she calved ten days early and with very little warning. Day before no bag, bones in one piece, next day dead calf. She’s one of the most docile of heifers too. Halter trained, and soft as a brush. I think maybe she’s just stupid...

 

[steveR]

The only option would be to try to get her to Foster a calf to get her head in the right place...

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Unfortunately she’d be due a ride of down the road if she were mine. Why is it hardly ever the mad buggers that you’re looking for an excuse too do this with that have the problems!

 

[Limcrazy]

Wouldn't have got a second chance to do that here.

 

[Farmergiles11]

The only option would be to try to get her to Foster a calf to get her head in the right place...

She spent all of last year fostering anything that wanted a drink!

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Personally I’d foster a calf onto it then, let her rear a big calf then at least you’ve got something out of it, feed her well then wean the calf sell the cow and hopefully cut your losses without too much pain. All depends how you feel about going buying a calf really

 

[steveR]

Personally I’d foster a calf onto it then, let her rear a big calf then at least you’ve got something out of it, feed her well then wean the calf sell the cow and hopefully cut your losses without too much pain. All depends how you feel about going buying a calf really

Buying is fine, it's when the cow just won't play ball.....

 

[steveR]

She spent all of last year fostering anything that wanted a drink!

Well, she did some good then

 

[Farmergiles11]

Personally I’d foster a calf onto it then, let her rear a big calf then at least you’ve got something out of it, feed her well then wean the calf sell the cow and hopefully cut your losses without too much pain. All depends how you feel about going buying a calf really

Closed herd unfortunately. She does have a possibility of a chance. Her partner in crime calves next week, and all the signs say twins. However, I think it’s more likely she’ll be gone. As others have said, one is unlucky twice is burgers. I just wondered if anyone else had heard of it.

 

[Moors Lad]

Unfortunately you just don`t know what happened this time - very frustrating for you. I guess it`s worth keeping her a few days in case the other one does have a pair - a "willing" parent like that is not very common! Don`t know what I`d do in your situation - I guess it depends how valuable her next calf would be if you gave her another chance ( I only add this as you said she was a pedigree).

 

[Danllan]

I have had hfrs that roar and try to pin their newborn calf to the floor everytime it moves just because the hfrs are new to motherhood , usually put the calf behind a hurdle until the hormones have calmed down. I would cull your cow!

I have a cow who I know was absolutely gentle with her first four calves. This year I was there when she calved again, as soon as it was out she was roaring and pushing it all over the place. I stepped in after a couple of minutes, and she backed off. But when I stepped back she was at it again, so I stepped in once more, this went on for maybe half an hour. Then she calmed down and was her normal, calm, maternal self in a matter of moments...

 

[fgc325j]

Have a three year old pedigree that has just had her second calf.

First calf, born healthy - an hour later she had sat on it and killed it. She was just literally sat on top of it.
Second calf born yesterday evening- calf was dead when I got there, but didn’t look like it had a stressful birth at all. Cow was stood up cleansing. I suspect she has done the same to this one.

Once last years calf was dead, she was put out to grass with rest of the herd, put back in calf and spent 10 months feeding anything that came near her. She spent all last night sat next to the dead calf.

Is this a thing? Are there cows that just kill their newborns? Or is this cow just unlucky?

is she a good milker??

 

[shumungus]

Why the hell would you even consider keeping this any longer? If you ever manage to get her to have a living calf and keep it the fact that she lets everything else suck her will mean it won't be properly reared, time for down the road.

 

[Jackov Altraids]

Last year I had a cow lie on her calf so its head was under its brisket and back legs out between her front legs. I must have got to it almost immediately but still took several minutes of CPR to get it going again.
I was worried about keeping her but calved ok this year.

In your case, given she hadn't got any udder and was early, it is quite likely it was stillborn.

 

[dinderleat]

Suck cows shouldn’t get a second chance

 

[Pistonbroke]

Have a three year old pedigree that has just had her second calf.

First calf, born healthy - an hour later she had sat on it and killed it. She was just literally sat on top of it.
Second calf born yesterday evening- calf was dead when I got there, but didn’t look like it had a stressful birth at all. Cow was stood up cleansing. I suspect she has done the same to this one.

Once last years calf was dead, she was put out to grass with rest of the herd, put back in calf and spent 10 months feeding anything that came near her. She spent all last night sat next to the dead calf.

Is this a thing? Are there cows that just kill their newborns? Or is this cow just unlucky?

We had a Lim x heifer that stole the Bull and had to pull a calf from it. She went totally mental and killed the calf,tried to kill us,jumped the wall and got out with the cows. Four calves sucking her next day.

 

[Bill the Bass]

Have a three year old pedigree that has just had her second calf.

First calf, born healthy - an hour later she had sat on it and killed it. She was just literally sat on top of it.
Second calf born yesterday evening- calf was dead when I got there, but didn’t look like it had a stressful birth at all. Cow was stood up cleansing. I suspect she has done the same to this one.

Once last years calf was dead, she was put out to grass with rest of the herd, put back in calf and spent 10 months feeding anything that came near her. She spent all last night sat next to the dead calf.

Is this a thing? Are there cows that just kill their newborns? Or is this cow just unlucky?

They are all different and every birth is different. However, seeing as she is a pedigree and maternal traits are highly heritable I would just cut my losses, unlucky or not you don’t want a herd full of them.