Dead calf

[inyati13]

8 year old cow. Mixed breed goes 2000 lbs, easy. Bred to angus, due 4/27/13. Delivered unassisted 4/30/13. Found ber standi g licking her dead calf. Well formed nice calf about 80 lbs. she had already dropped the placenta. Cow in excellent condition. What do you look for in this situation?

 

[ALACOWMAN]

8 year old cow. Mixed breed goes 2000 lbs, easy. Bred to angus, due 4/27/13. Delivered unassisted 4/30/13. Found ber standi g licking her dead calf. Well formed nice calf about 80 lbs. she had already dropped the placenta. Cow in excellent condition. What do you look for in this situation?

a shovel...

 

[inyati13]

After the shovel. I just looked at the calf. Its navel was open. Usually a small portion of cord is attached. Will post pics this evening

 

[ALACOWMAN]

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=39387&p=433533

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

inyati, are you having the problems with the Mexican Buzzards up your way that we're having around the Warsaw area?

We've lost 3 calves to those evil creatures.

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

If there was no umbilical cord, sounds like it might have severed before or during birth, thus the calf suffocated and you could do nothing about that. Tough situation! Sorry for your loss... every calf counts!

 

[inyati13]

Here are the pictures. I am so happy Big Bertha is fine.
First, here is the mother. This cow will go over 2,000 lbs. How do I know? Her mate went 1890 lbs and Bertha is 200 lbs bigger.

Here is her calf from 2012, the dead calf is almost identical!!!

Here are some pictures of the dead calf. After handling it, I would say it was in the 100 pound range.

Now look at the navel. No cord just an opening. Any thoughts on this?

 

[inyati13]

inyati, are you having the problems with the Mexican Buzzards up your way that we're having around the Warsaw area?

We've lost 3 calves to those evil creatures.

Yes, my good friend. I like Mexicans. They work hard and are very good people but the Mexican Buzzards. I kill everyone I can!!!

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

I'm sorry you lost that calf and I'm sorry to hear you've got the Mexican buzzards up your way as well.

 

[chippie]

That happened to us too this year. Our son's Braunvieh cow had a stillborn calf with the same thing. Something happened during birth to cause the umbilical cord to tear free and the calf died before it could be born. I was thinking that maybe it got wrapped around the calf and as the calf entered the birth canal it tore free.

We were lucky, we found a an orphan heifer and the cow raised it.

Not the cow's fault, just bad luck. Sorry that it happened to you too.

 

[Chris H]

Possibly a back feet first presentation?
When I find a dead calf at birth I look for swelling in the head or at least an extended tongue, these would indicate a tough delivery. But a backwards calf wouldn't have pressure on the head, and no swelling.

Our vet told us we could cut a piece of lung and put it in a bucket of water. If it floats, the calf took a breath. If it sinks, the calf never breathed.

One more indication of a stressful birth, the amniotic fluid will be fouled with the calf's first poop. The calf will be covered in dark yellowish slime. Most will be OK, but I watch them a bit closer to be sure they get up and going.

 

[KNERSIE]

This is not going to be popular advise, but give Big BErtha a few weeks to regain lost fill and get a big paycheck from her, likely the only real money you'll make out of a 2000+lb cow.

 

[inyati13]

That happened to us too this year. Our son's Braunvieh cow had a stillborn calf with the same thing. Something happened during birth to cause the umbilical cord to tear free and the calf died before it could be born. I was thinking that maybe it got wrapped around the calf and as the calf entered the birth canal it tore free.

We were lucky, we found a an orphan heifer and the cow raised it.

Not the cow's fault, just bad luck. Sorry that it happened to you too.

I think you are correct. Thanks. Hope your orphan heifer does well for your son.

 

[inyati13]

This is not going to be popular advise, but give Big BErtha a few weeks to regain lost fill and get a big paycheck from her, likely the only real money you'll make out of a 2000+lb cow.

I had already thought about that. She is a good cow but I see these issues. As big as she is, it is common for her to sink into the clay soil and get debris between her claws that cause limps. She eats more than her fair share. Of course, she is the dominant cow and gets what she wants. She is intimidating when you get her in a squeeze chute. She absolutely fills it up. In fact, when she goes in, she squeezes her elf at the most opening setting. I got to decide soon.

 

[chippie]

I think you are correct. Thanks. Hope your orphan heifer does well for your son.

Thank you for the good wishes. She thrived and I shipped her at 4 months because she started crawling fences. She was eating creep feed well, had grass and her "mother" was feeding her well. She weighed almost 500 lbs and brought over $800. I was a happy camper. The cow bred back easily.