Calf Born Today

[inyati13]

I put her in the bull pen this morning. I could tell contractions had started. She was having pain and would pick up her foot and stomp it down on the ground from time to time. When I left for lunch about 11 am, she was going round and round in a small area. Laying down, getting back up. When I got back at 12:15 pm, here is what I found:

I tied a knott in the afterbirth to keep weight on it and off the ground:

What is this, I saw on the ground at the birthsite?

 

[glacierridge]

Last pic looks like the calf's first stool??
That baby has some pretty eye liner.

 

[inyati13]

Last pic looks like the calf's first stool??
That baby has some pretty eye liner.

I thought so but that is a big first bowel movement. There was another one almost as large.

 

[glacierridge]

How big is it?

 

[inyati13]

Big around as a half dollar and one foot long. The other one is maybe 9 inches but same diameter.

 

[glacierridge]

Yeah I think it's poo.
Just a lot of it :lol:

 

[Taurus]

That's what the first poop looks like....normal for the calf.

 

[Putangitangi]

Did you think it was a malformed twin? :lol:

My observation is that they'll produce the meconium pretty quickly when they've had their first feed. Eating prompts bowel movement.

 

[inyati13]

Did you think it was a malformed twin? :lol:

My observation is that they'll produce the meconium pretty quickly when they've had their first feed. Eating prompts bowel movement.

I was gone maybe 2 hours. When I got back, the cow was standing and the calf was reposed. It looked like a couple of the teats had been sucked but I was not sure. So can I say that there is a high probability that the calf nursed and that induced the bowel movement?

 

[gizmom]

Nice looking cow and nothing prettier than a white face calve.

Gizmom

 

[Putangitangi]

I was gone maybe 2 hours. When I got back, the cow was standing and the calf was reposed. It looked like a couple of the teats had been sucked but I was not sure. So can I say that there is a high probability that the calf nursed and that induced the bowel movement?

Probably. They usually do. When you see nice yellow equivalent, you'll know. Teats clean and a bit shiny?

 

[inyati13]

I was gone maybe 2 hours. When I got back, the cow was standing and the calf was reposed. It looked like a couple of the teats had been sucked but I was not sure. So can I say that there is a high probability that the calf nursed and that induced the bowel movement?

Probably. They usually do. When you see nice yellow equivalent, you'll know. Teats clean and a bit shiny?

Yes. But not as shiny as I needed to be sure.

 

[Baldie Maker]

Congratulations; first 701t calf hit the ground today from a BWF heifer along with a RA sired calf out a balancer 4 yr old. This time of year is exciting to say the least.

 

[denvermartinfarms]

Nice cow and calf!

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Oh so cute!!! Love white faces how big was the calf?

I agree with others, definitely looks like first stool...

:welcome: new one. Name yet?

 

[inyati13]

Oh so cute!!! Love white faces how big was the calf?

I agree with others, definitely looks like first stool...

:welcome: new one. Name yet?

Born yesterday between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. I don't handle the calf much at this age. I cleaned up the loose tissue on the umbilical cord and sprayed it with antibiotic spray. In fact, I have never weighed one of my calves. This cow is really laid back. I walked up to her carefully and saw she was relaxed. I tied a knot in the afterbirth to keep it up and per directions I got about retained placenta, I know not to pull on it. Today, I found it and looks like a lot. Must be 10 pounds of it. I picked it up so it won't attract the black headed buzzard. I was almost sure it was the first bowel movement but it made a good picture and I don't think I have ever seen that much. No name yet.

Thanks for asking!

 

[glacierridge]

Gross thing about the afterbirth...
My brothers dog seeks it out and eats it... can't even bury it, he WILL find it.

 

[Putangitangi]

Gross thing about the afterbirth...
My brother's dog seeks it out and eats it... can't even bury it, he WILL find it.

You know your herd is free of Neospora? I visited a guy's farm the other day and watched as his dogs tore apart what was left of a dead calf in a paddock of still-to-calve cows. For a number of reasons that made my skin crawl, not least of which is the Neospora possibility. Sure, feed your dogs, but don't encourage them to hunt or scavenge!

 

[glacierridge]

No we don't encourage it at all!!
It's gross!!!
He doesn't touch the calves, just wont give up until the placenta is his snack.
We try to take it away, but it doesn't work most of the time.
He's just a gross, gross pooch.
Knock on wood, we'll never have Neospora...
He's the only dog I've ever had with this nasty habit. :yuck:
I hope he'll be the only one.

 

[glacierridge]

If you have a way to break him of this... please share.
He's a decent dog otherwise.