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Breeding / Calving Issues
Dead calf
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<blockquote data-quote="Katpau" data-source="post: 1583072" data-attributes="member: 9933"><p>The first grass in Spring is mostly water and it is normal for their manure to be really runny. That is 100% normal this time of year. I know you said they had hay too, but if the grass is good, I doubt they're eating the hay. It can be a good idea to offer hay when the grass is really washy (High in moisture content), but they may not eat it.</p><p></p><p>You said the calves eyes were grey and clouded over. That would indicate to me that the calf had been dead awhile. I would guess it died in the womb and that was what prompted her to go into labor. That could be for many reasons and without a necropsy you won't know why. Even if you did one, in most cases the results won't tell you what caused it. I think that sometimes the umbilical cord twists or is pulled lose and they suffocate inside the cow. The calf starts turning into position in the last few days before birth, so it seems likely that on rare occasions they turn in a way that damages the cord.</p><p></p><p>You said you were right there and the calf appeared to land head first, so I doubt it came backwards or breach. Even when alive they often land in what looks like impossible positions. Don't assume they're dead because they land with their head flipped under, Usually the cow will begin vigorously licking them and that flips them into a better position and hopefully removes the sack if it is still across their face. It is not uncommon for a calf to lie so still that he appears dead for a few moments after birth. The eye blinking may be the first clue. The cow licking stimulates them and they will usually respond and begin the process of rising to their feet. Some come out of the cow trying to rise, but most flop to the ground not much different then you described.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Katpau, post: 1583072, member: 9933"] The first grass in Spring is mostly water and it is normal for their manure to be really runny. That is 100% normal this time of year. I know you said they had hay too, but if the grass is good, I doubt they're eating the hay. It can be a good idea to offer hay when the grass is really washy (High in moisture content), but they may not eat it. You said the calves eyes were grey and clouded over. That would indicate to me that the calf had been dead awhile. I would guess it died in the womb and that was what prompted her to go into labor. That could be for many reasons and without a necropsy you won't know why. Even if you did one, in most cases the results won't tell you what caused it. I think that sometimes the umbilical cord twists or is pulled lose and they suffocate inside the cow. The calf starts turning into position in the last few days before birth, so it seems likely that on rare occasions they turn in a way that damages the cord. You said you were right there and the calf appeared to land head first, so I doubt it came backwards or breach. Even when alive they often land in what looks like impossible positions. Don't assume they're dead because they land with their head flipped under, Usually the cow will begin vigorously licking them and that flips them into a better position and hopefully removes the sack if it is still across their face. It is not uncommon for a calf to lie so still that he appears dead for a few moments after birth. The eye blinking may be the first clue. The cow licking stimulates them and they will usually respond and begin the process of rising to their feet. Some come out of the cow trying to rise, but most flop to the ground not much different then you described. [/QUOTE]
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