Travlr
Well-known member
Lucky the pond wasn't deep and the ice thick. Had a neighbor lose one when it went in and got under the ice, and he saw it happen. He got there and the calf was scrambling for air under the ice and he couldn't break through.
Calf fell through the ice
- Thread starter MurraysMutts
- Start date
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Awww. She looks nice and cozy there! Is she still in the herd?
It's about waist deep where my friend went in to get her. Closer to the middle. Pretty shallow pond and the ice was solid enough for her to get that far before she broke thru the ice. She got her drug out that far and was waiting for help. Couldn't drag her big ol butt any farther once it got too shallow. Nothing to float on I guess. Took 3 of em to pick her up.
Your friends situation sounds terrible! I'm NOT a fan of a pond in the winter. I'd be perfectly happy with a stock tank filled from a well as my only water source.
artesianspringsfarm
Well-known member
Glad this ended well for you. I've got the pictures of one in a loader bucket that didnt end so well. They all just look for ways to die.
artesianspringsfarm
Well-known member
NA
@MurraysMutts, I didn't keep her. She just didn't fill out like I wanted.
bird dog
Well-known member
Crap. I was afraid of that. It was pretty basic for most but might help some new operators.
January 1, 2025
Hypothermia, a major concern for winter-calving herds, can be treated and avoided altogether with some watchful management during calving.[/H2]
Hypothermia – lower than normal body temperature – is one of the major causes of death in newborn calves.
Denice Rackley is a freelance writer based in Indiana.
Hypothermia can be caused by exposure to a cold environment that leads to a gradual, steady loss of body temperature. It impacts animals of any age that do not have adequate stored fat and lack a good hair coat. However, immersion hypothermia occurs during the birthing process when newborn animals suddenly lose heat due to a wet, saturated hair coat and cold environment.
Moderate environmental temperatures aren't a problem for calves born to cows with adequate available milk supply that have had proper nutrition and are good mothers. Calves born to cows that are fed well, particularly during the last trimester of pregnancy, have a layer of brown fat that serves as ready energy to help them bounce up and nurse.
Calves from thin cows will not have this extra energy supply and succumb to hypothermia quickly. However, wet and chilly weather below 50ºF, especially accompanied by wind, will take a toll on all calves, especially if calving takes longer than normal.
Difficulty during birthing, known as dystocia, can lead to hypothermia. Slower births can lower a calf's respirations. That then delays standing and nursing, which contributes to a calf's temperature dropping even more.
With a prolonged delivery, calves are born with low oxygen levels. Oxygen levels are corrected with normal breathing. However, severe dystocia can lead to cascading negative effects that begin with lower respiration. When the respiratory system is suppressed, carbon dioxide builds up in the blood and can cause acidosis. Acidosis depresses the central nervous system so muscles can't work properly. These calves usually aren't able to stand and have a decreased shivering response, leading to a quick onset of hypothermia.
Diverting blood flow away from the extremities, like the legs, ears and tail, decreases heat loss from blood flow that is nearest the skin and keeps the blood near the organs to help ensure their survival. Pale cold hooves and nostrils are early signs that the blood is being shunted toward their core and the calf is in real trouble.
Excessive shivering, erratic behavior, confusion and a clumsy gait are all signs of hypothermia. Severe hypothermia, a temperature below 94ºF, can lead to frozen ears, tail and feet. Pulse and respirations slow as the body temperature cools to 88ºF. These calves are usually comatose, with signs of life hard to detect once the body temperature dips below 86ºF. Pupils can become fixed and dilated, breathing slows to occasional gasps of air, and the heart eventually fails.
Calves maintain body temperature by converting food into body heat. Without standing and nursing soon after birth, calves are at risk.
Hypothermic calves, if they can stand, may lack a suckle reflex. These calves don't ingest enough colostrum, which not only contains antibodies essential to the calf's long-term health but also provides an energy and nutrient boost essential for the first few hours of life.
Calves that nurse or are given colostrum within the first two to four hours after birth fare much better throughout their entire lives.
The ability of a calf to absorb antibodies from the colostrum declines rapidly during the first 12 hours after birth and continues to decline until 24 hours old, when it loses the ability to absorb antibodies. But warming needs to come first.
High-calorie supplements that can provide needed calories while the calf is warming up can be used. Many of these paste or thick liquid products can be rubbed on the calf's gums to supply nearly immediate energy.
There are many ways to warm hypothermic calves:
Just a word of caution: A warming box can be a germ factory, easily transmitting bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens to the next calf if the box isn't cleaned and disinfected after each use. Additionally, using a warm water bath is labor-intensive. The water must be gradually warmed so the calf doesn't go into shock. Maintaining a water bath of 100ºF will require continual additions of warm water. These calves will also need to be thoroughly dry before going back outside.
Calves need 1 to 2 quarts of colostrum, depending on their size, within the first 24 hours to provide the needed antibodies. When feeding calves colostrum, half the desired dose should be fed within the first two to three hours of life because the ability to absorb antibodies gradually decreases over the first 24 hours. To gain the most benefit from the colostrum, it is best fed over the next four to six hours depending on the condition of the calf.
Milking the cow to provide that colostrum is always best but not always practical. Frozen or dry powdered colostrum ranks second and third. Frozen colostrum needs warmed, but overheating will destroy the antibodies. Warming frozen colostrum in a warm water bath to around 100ºF is the best approach, since microwaving kills the antibodies. Sourcing the colostrum from another cattle operation brings a risk of introducing diseases into your herd, so it's best to have details about herd health and disease testing before taking that step.
There are vast differences between colostrum replacers and supplements. Replacers are intended to replace the mother's milk and the antibodies. These products contain immunoglobulins at 100, 125 or more grams per liter depending on the specific product. However, supplements contain less than the recommended dose, typically 30 to 50 grams per liter. Some supplements are only nutritional supplements and don't contain any immunoglobulins. Paying attention to the label and mixing directions will help you choose the best option for your situation.
Warmth and colostrum are the two most important factors in calf survival. The immediate concern is noticing newborns who might be in trouble before they are flat out, getting them dry and returning their temperature back to normal – 100ºF for newborn calves and 101.5ºF to 102.5ºF for older calves. The next step is supplying them with colostrum to provide them with the needed energy and antibody boost.
Quality colostrum from their mother, frozen colostrum or dry replacer given in the first few hours of life is essential to give calves the resources needed to stay healthy and grow well throughout their life.
January 1, 2025
Hypothermia, a major concern for winter-calving herds, can be treated and avoided altogether with some watchful management during calving.[/H2]
Hypothermia – lower than normal body temperature – is one of the major causes of death in newborn calves.
Denice Rackley is a freelance writer based in Indiana.
Hypothermia can be caused by exposure to a cold environment that leads to a gradual, steady loss of body temperature. It impacts animals of any age that do not have adequate stored fat and lack a good hair coat. However, immersion hypothermia occurs during the birthing process when newborn animals suddenly lose heat due to a wet, saturated hair coat and cold environment.
Moderate environmental temperatures aren't a problem for calves born to cows with adequate available milk supply that have had proper nutrition and are good mothers. Calves born to cows that are fed well, particularly during the last trimester of pregnancy, have a layer of brown fat that serves as ready energy to help them bounce up and nurse.
Calves from thin cows will not have this extra energy supply and succumb to hypothermia quickly. However, wet and chilly weather below 50ºF, especially accompanied by wind, will take a toll on all calves, especially if calving takes longer than normal.
Difficulty during birthing, known as dystocia, can lead to hypothermia. Slower births can lower a calf's respirations. That then delays standing and nursing, which contributes to a calf's temperature dropping even more.
With a prolonged delivery, calves are born with low oxygen levels. Oxygen levels are corrected with normal breathing. However, severe dystocia can lead to cascading negative effects that begin with lower respiration. When the respiratory system is suppressed, carbon dioxide builds up in the blood and can cause acidosis. Acidosis depresses the central nervous system so muscles can't work properly. These calves usually aren't able to stand and have a decreased shivering response, leading to a quick onset of hypothermia.
The body's response to hypothermia
When animals are cold, the body responds in two ways: shivering and diverting blood flow toward their core. Shivering is an involuntary response that increases heat produced by the muscles, but this requires energy.Diverting blood flow away from the extremities, like the legs, ears and tail, decreases heat loss from blood flow that is nearest the skin and keeps the blood near the organs to help ensure their survival. Pale cold hooves and nostrils are early signs that the blood is being shunted toward their core and the calf is in real trouble.
Excessive shivering, erratic behavior, confusion and a clumsy gait are all signs of hypothermia. Severe hypothermia, a temperature below 94ºF, can lead to frozen ears, tail and feet. Pulse and respirations slow as the body temperature cools to 88ºF. These calves are usually comatose, with signs of life hard to detect once the body temperature dips below 86ºF. Pupils can become fixed and dilated, breathing slows to occasional gasps of air, and the heart eventually fails.
Calves maintain body temperature by converting food into body heat. Without standing and nursing soon after birth, calves are at risk.
Hypothermic calves, if they can stand, may lack a suckle reflex. These calves don't ingest enough colostrum, which not only contains antibodies essential to the calf's long-term health but also provides an energy and nutrient boost essential for the first few hours of life.
Calves that nurse or are given colostrum within the first two to four hours after birth fare much better throughout their entire lives.
The ability of a calf to absorb antibodies from the colostrum declines rapidly during the first 12 hours after birth and continues to decline until 24 hours old, when it loses the ability to absorb antibodies. But warming needs to come first.
Warming calves
Gradual warming that returns the calf's body temperature to 100ºF on a rectal thermometer will enable the calf to digest colostrum.High-calorie supplements that can provide needed calories while the calf is warming up can be used. Many of these paste or thick liquid products can be rubbed on the calf's gums to supply nearly immediate energy.
There are many ways to warm hypothermic calves:
- Placing calves by a heat source – floorboard heaters, ceramic heaters in house or shed
- Warming box with air movement and a vent to allow moisture to escape
- Warm water bath
- Warm IV fluids
Just a word of caution: A warming box can be a germ factory, easily transmitting bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens to the next calf if the box isn't cleaned and disinfected after each use. Additionally, using a warm water bath is labor-intensive. The water must be gradually warmed so the calf doesn't go into shock. Maintaining a water bath of 100ºF will require continual additions of warm water. These calves will also need to be thoroughly dry before going back outside.
A closer look at colostrum
Colostrum and the concentration of antibodies within it can vary quite a bit. Colostrum from dairy cows typically contains half as many immunoglobulins (antibodies) as that in beef cows' colostrum. Research has shown that dairy cow colostrum is around 25 grams per liter, and beef colostrum is 100 grams per liter.Calves need 1 to 2 quarts of colostrum, depending on their size, within the first 24 hours to provide the needed antibodies. When feeding calves colostrum, half the desired dose should be fed within the first two to three hours of life because the ability to absorb antibodies gradually decreases over the first 24 hours. To gain the most benefit from the colostrum, it is best fed over the next four to six hours depending on the condition of the calf.
Milking the cow to provide that colostrum is always best but not always practical. Frozen or dry powdered colostrum ranks second and third. Frozen colostrum needs warmed, but overheating will destroy the antibodies. Warming frozen colostrum in a warm water bath to around 100ºF is the best approach, since microwaving kills the antibodies. Sourcing the colostrum from another cattle operation brings a risk of introducing diseases into your herd, so it's best to have details about herd health and disease testing before taking that step.
There are vast differences between colostrum replacers and supplements. Replacers are intended to replace the mother's milk and the antibodies. These products contain immunoglobulins at 100, 125 or more grams per liter depending on the specific product. However, supplements contain less than the recommended dose, typically 30 to 50 grams per liter. Some supplements are only nutritional supplements and don't contain any immunoglobulins. Paying attention to the label and mixing directions will help you choose the best option for your situation.
Avoiding hypothermia
Coinciding calving with warmer weather can decrease the chances of hypothermia. Providing cows with proper nutrition and a well-bedded area out of the wind and weather to calve will go a long way in preventing cold calves.Warmth and colostrum are the two most important factors in calf survival. The immediate concern is noticing newborns who might be in trouble before they are flat out, getting them dry and returning their temperature back to normal – 100ºF for newborn calves and 101.5ºF to 102.5ºF for older calves. The next step is supplying them with colostrum to provide them with the needed energy and antibody boost.
Quality colostrum from their mother, frozen colostrum or dry replacer given in the first few hours of life is essential to give calves the resources needed to stay healthy and grow well throughout their life.
farmerjan
Well-known member
Thank you for printing it...
4hfarms
Well-known member
At what age would a calf be out of the dangerzone? When are they strong enough to not have to worry about hypothermia.
Reason I ask, we have a week old calf on the small side. Not much meat/fat to keep it warm. is there still a risk? Happy, healthy and energetic so far, but it's getting cold this week.
Reason I ask, we have a week old calf on the small side. Not much meat/fat to keep it warm. is there still a risk? Happy, healthy and energetic so far, but it's getting cold this week.
bird dog
Well-known member
If its with its mom it should be fine but it would be nice to give them some bedding or at least some shelter from the wind. Now if it snows a lot, all bets are off.
Travlr
Well-known member
I lost a calf that might have been 6 weeks old to cold rain and wind. It was born in winter weather and did fine, but the wet and the wind just drained the heat out of it.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
I can't remember who said it on here because it has been quite some time. But it always stuck with me.
Most calves can handle cold, wind and rain (wet). Just not all at the same time. The combination of wind or rain (wet) with cold is the killer
Most calves can handle cold, wind and rain (wet). Just not all at the same time. The combination of wind or rain (wet) with cold is the killer
Last edited:
greybeard
Well-known member
One of the first things I learned long ago even down here in Texas and it applies to mature animals as well....
They can take a LOT of cold.
They can take a LOT of wet.
They can't take a lot of both combined.
branxchar&charx
Well-known member
This story probably fits this thread. Heifer decided to calve tonight, 19 degrees out. Put her in the truck for a bit over 30 min, hopefully being over cautious. Ill check em again in the a.m. Note: she would move her ears when i put it on a country station. But anything else, no reaction. 
Mark Reynolds
Well-known member
As @Travlr indicated with his loss, they don't have to be newborn. It's really more of a sliding scale in terms of age, size and health, but under the right conditions, a fully mature 1,600 lb bull could fall victim to hypothermia. The weather conditions at the time also have an impact.
There is always a risk. One of the keys, and best prevention, is to keep the animals dry. I don't know about cattle, but I suspect there is some degree of similarity. Full grown adult humans that are healthy can succumb to hypothermia when its 60 degrees and they are ill-prepared for the weather.
Hypothermia is the loss of body heat faster than the body can generate it. Keep animals (and yourself) well fed and dry.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Calf was probly pizzed off about having to ride in a chevy!! Looks plenty perturbed.This story probably fits this thread. Heifer decided to calve tonight, 19 degrees out. Put her in the truck for a bit over 30 min, hopefully being over cautious. Ill check em again in the a.m. Note: she would move her ears when i put it on a country station. But anything else, no reaction.
View attachment 53001
View attachment 53002
View attachment 53003
Hopefully you and mama got him/her all dried off. Years ago, Rocket had hers on the south side of the old chicken house. I remember it well. 6 degrees out that morning and ice all over the roads. I went to check the little heifer and mama had done one helluva job getting her dry and out of the wind. No problems at all until 2 years later that lil baby spit a calf out and prolapse on me. Sheesh!
Katpau
Well-known member
They are a lot tougher then you would think. It is extremely rare for us to lose one to hypothermia, although I have seen it happen a time or two. It is most likely to happen with an inexperienced mother or a poor udder and a calf that is not able to nurse within the first 15-20 minutes. If the cow is in good shape, the calf should have what is referred to as brown fat, and they can take a lot of cold and wet, as long as they can nurse right away and real often.
We calve from mid February through the end of March, and it rains much of the time. Our average low at night during that time of year is 37 degrees and the average high in the afternoon is in the mid 50's. It is very common for our calves to be born out on the pasture in a steady rain and with the temperature in the high 30's to low 40's. You would think we would have a lot of problems with calves succumbing to the weather, however over the last 30 years I could probably count on one hand the number we believe were lost to hypothermia. Of course a cow will occasionally deliver in a bad spot where the calf slides down into deeper standing water. I'm not counting those, although I have found a few where that looked to be the case. If the cow can get away from any mud and into the trees to calve out of the wind, there is seldom any issues. That is why my cows have access to a partially wooded pasture of about 50 acres when they calve. They are harder to find, but they usually seem to find a dry cozy place to calve.
We calve from mid February through the end of March, and it rains much of the time. Our average low at night during that time of year is 37 degrees and the average high in the afternoon is in the mid 50's. It is very common for our calves to be born out on the pasture in a steady rain and with the temperature in the high 30's to low 40's. You would think we would have a lot of problems with calves succumbing to the weather, however over the last 30 years I could probably count on one hand the number we believe were lost to hypothermia. Of course a cow will occasionally deliver in a bad spot where the calf slides down into deeper standing water. I'm not counting those, although I have found a few where that looked to be the case. If the cow can get away from any mud and into the trees to calve out of the wind, there is seldom any issues. That is why my cows have access to a partially wooded pasture of about 50 acres when they calve. They are harder to find, but they usually seem to find a dry cozy place to calve.
