CattleAnnie
Well-known member
Had a second calver give birth to what I initially thought was a pretty heifer yesterday. Wrong. As if the last spring snowstorm of three inches wasn't bad enough over the last couple of days...
Closer inspection revealed birth defects... calf was unable to straighten her neck, or bend either forelegs more than 30 degrees, and her left ear was "smushed" looking -stood straight up and twisted behind her head, and her spine had a protrusion on the right side just above the ribcage.
Of course, tried like a son-of-a-gun to massage those legs and the neck hoping they would loosen up, and even tried to get the little gaffer to stand, but she had very poor motor ability. Had to bonk her over the head this morning. Hate that with a passion.
This is the first birth defect I've had in my herd (guess it was just a matter of time given the odds). Have any of you encountered any?
Take care.
Closer inspection revealed birth defects... calf was unable to straighten her neck, or bend either forelegs more than 30 degrees, and her left ear was "smushed" looking -stood straight up and twisted behind her head, and her spine had a protrusion on the right side just above the ribcage.
Of course, tried like a son-of-a-gun to massage those legs and the neck hoping they would loosen up, and even tried to get the little gaffer to stand, but she had very poor motor ability. Had to bonk her over the head this morning. Hate that with a passion.
This is the first birth defect I've had in my herd (guess it was just a matter of time given the odds). Have any of you encountered any?
Take care.