cattlepower
Well-known member
We have some bred heifers we bought that we're going to calve out. What do we need to have on hand besides patience and realistic expectations?
calving bred heifers
- Thread starter cattlepower
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Chainsm iodine, towels (or lots of paper towels), some colostrum (synthetic will work), calf bottle, binoculars so you can watch from a distance and not get them spun up. All of those are IF there is a problem, if no problems you need a camera to take pictures of the babies.
Read up on here about calving so you know what to expect and get as comfortable with the knowledge as you can.
Read up on here about calving so you know what to expect and get as comfortable with the knowledge as you can.
randiliana
Well-known member
Maybe a calf puller would be a good idea too. And a Vet or some one else experienced in calving cattle that you can call on in an emergency.
The more you time and money you spend on being prepared by having everything possible on hand the less likely you will need any of it. And it's much cheaper to buy what you might need and not use it than not buy it and need it.
Good things already listed. I also like to have shoulder length plastic gloves and some type of lubricant (dish soap will work). And maybe an esophageal (sp?) feeder.
And of course some type of head gate or a way to catch them.
Good things already listed. I also like to have shoulder length plastic gloves and some type of lubricant (dish soap will work). And maybe an esophageal (sp?) feeder.
And of course some type of head gate or a way to catch them.
Rafter S
Well-known member
I would say that first of all, you're right about patience being one of the important things. I believe quite a few people rush to help when it would be better to wait. With that being said, if you've watched a heifer for a good while (not 15 minutes, I'd say at least an hour) and she isn't making any progress, then she might need some help.
Another thing to keep handy is the phone number of a friend or neighbor who has had cattle for a long time. Call them if you're not sure what to do. And like NC Liz 2 said, keep the vet's number handy.
All the things the other people mentioned to have on hand are good things if you know what to do with them. My advice would be to call for help if you don't.
Another thing to keep handy is the phone number of a friend or neighbor who has had cattle for a long time. Call them if you're not sure what to do. And like NC Liz 2 said, keep the vet's number handy.
All the things the other people mentioned to have on hand are good things if you know what to do with them. My advice would be to call for help if you don't.
