crazy4equines
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- Apr 30, 2010
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Hello I have a couple of questions i was hoping you guys could help me out with. This will be our first time having calves born on our farm, I have had tons of goats born and horses but never a heifer or cow for that matter. Our heifer is a herford and we bred her to a belted galloway so we are anxiously waiting for her to calve, which should be in April. We don't have an exact date as she was in with the bull, we just have an idea of when she is due off of the vets exam when he preg. checked her last fall. Our heifer was vaccinated per the vets recomendation 2 months ago, I think I gave her Vision 8 and Vira Shield 6. Now is there anything I need to do for the calf when it is born? I know I need to dip the navel cord, watch for any signs of stress during labor and after. I know the calf should get most of what it needs nutrionally from the heifer but didn't know if I should get it any kind of vitamin or selenium shots? I know our soil is deficient in selenium, The 2 heifers that we have do have a salt/mineral lick plus I feed them a grain mix from our local mill. I feed the 2 heifers together about 6 pounds of grain 2 times a day and they have a free choice grass hay round bale and they have been starting to go out to pasture. Do you think it would be better for her to calve in a stall or out in the pasture? Thanks for any help, it is much appreciated.