Fire Sweep Ranch
Well-known member
Well, we had a bad day. We have three cows due next week, all ultrasounded and confirmed. We walk our pastures twice a day minimum, and keep a close eye on everyone. Our cow that twinned last year (she raised twin red bulls, all by herself, and weaned them off without creep - they weaned off at almost 600 pounds each). Anyway, we bred her on Christmas, had her ultrasounded, and had the vet verify she had one calf and it was a bull calf. Last night no one was acting out of the ordinary, and we talked about moving the three due next weekend to the pasture behind the house on Friday so after dark we can see them and not have to go tromping through the back pasture. This morning we go to do our check, and Summer (the cow) was not with the group, but neither was the little heifer (49 pound calf) or her mom. We figured they were at the water or mineral feeder. So after checking everyone in the big herd, we walk around to the mineral feeder. There is Summer, and she looked "off". I watched her for several minutes, and she kept looking back at her belly and looked to have her tail cocked just a little bit. We were talking about moving her now to the house pasture, since it looked like she might go early. When she turned around, it looked like she had a large piece of poop stuck on her rectum, so my husband walked closer to wipe it away. It was a foot! And it was breech and dry. So we immediately got her up to the barn, put a halter on her and tied her to the fence. Hubby went up to get the chains and jack, and of course I was in my work clothes (I teach college - so a nice outfit!). I get changed in the barn real quick and dive in. Definitely breech, but I can feel the hocks so that is good. I pinched the calf in several spots and got no response, so I was pretty sure it was dead. We get it jacked out in just minutes, and tried for 5 minutes to revive it. Straw in the nose, mouth to mouth, and hubby was doing chest compressions. We finally gave up, and untied the cow so she can lick it and figure out it was dead. The calf was not huge, but not small (it looked about 65 pounds), and she was 8 days early. I looked at the calf, told hubby I should check for a second calf since it was not huge, but then relented because she WAS ultrasounded and confirmed carrying one calf. Doc even checked twice because of her previous twins (identical). I went to the house to wash up, change my clothes and get going, sad that she lost her baby. After I get changed and breakfast in the toaster, hubby calls to tell me there is another foot coming out!!! WHAT 
So change the clothes, back down to the barn, with daughter in tow (it is her cow). Well, even worse. This calf had only one leg and the head!!! I go back in, and can not locate the leg. I jump on the phone to the vet, panicked. Daughter goes in, can not find the leg, but said this calf was dead also. Great. So while I was waiting for the vet to confirm he was on his way, I reach in, follow the shoulder down, and find the knee!!! At that point, I just rotated the leg around counter clockwise around the pelvis and up and over. Hooked the chains back up and had that one out in minutes after getting the leg out. Of course, another dead bull calf. Called and canceled the vet, and drug the calf out of the pen. Weighed them both, 64 and 65 pounds. Both in the same sac, so identical likely again. Wow! I am still in shock.
The sad part is the cow was up in the barn tonight when we went out to do chores, and had a little sad moo she was vocalizing. Almost makes you cry! She walked back out to the pasture when I went out to check the group, and she would eat a few bites then let out a bellar. Very sad. She loves her calves.
So the daughter and I were talking, and I think it is in our best interest to put an embryo in her this fall. Twinning two years in a row, identical twins, I would hate to have it happen again. With an embryo she will have one. She has a SUPERB pedigree, and throws fantastic calves, but I do not want to chance her having twins again. I offered to take her to town, but daughter thinks she is too good to let go when she has already proven herself.
Just thought I would share.... bad day for us.
So change the clothes, back down to the barn, with daughter in tow (it is her cow). Well, even worse. This calf had only one leg and the head!!! I go back in, and can not locate the leg. I jump on the phone to the vet, panicked. Daughter goes in, can not find the leg, but said this calf was dead also. Great. So while I was waiting for the vet to confirm he was on his way, I reach in, follow the shoulder down, and find the knee!!! At that point, I just rotated the leg around counter clockwise around the pelvis and up and over. Hooked the chains back up and had that one out in minutes after getting the leg out. Of course, another dead bull calf. Called and canceled the vet, and drug the calf out of the pen. Weighed them both, 64 and 65 pounds. Both in the same sac, so identical likely again. Wow! I am still in shock.
The sad part is the cow was up in the barn tonight when we went out to do chores, and had a little sad moo she was vocalizing. Almost makes you cry! She walked back out to the pasture when I went out to check the group, and she would eat a few bites then let out a bellar. Very sad. She loves her calves.
So the daughter and I were talking, and I think it is in our best interest to put an embryo in her this fall. Twinning two years in a row, identical twins, I would hate to have it happen again. With an embryo she will have one. She has a SUPERB pedigree, and throws fantastic calves, but I do not want to chance her having twins again. I offered to take her to town, but daughter thinks she is too good to let go when she has already proven herself.
Just thought I would share.... bad day for us.
