I've heard 2 hours of kinked tail, then 2 hours until water bag, then two hours till if bursts, then two hours till feet show, then two hours till birth. Is this too much time? Do you go ahead and pull them earlier?
How long is too long for laboring heifers?
- Thread starter redangus
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Yikes - tough question.
My criteria goes like this.
Water breaks - 2 hours. Feet seen - one hour max - look for a nose just back of the feet - that means the calf is at least lined up for delivery.
Any time I see her "flat out" and not straining - time to worry.
Usually I just show up in the pasture and they are finished - cull hard and look for "broad backed" animals.
To pull is a last resort.
Probably not much help, but it is simply what we do.
Bez
My criteria goes like this.
Water breaks - 2 hours. Feet seen - one hour max - look for a nose just back of the feet - that means the calf is at least lined up for delivery.
Any time I see her "flat out" and not straining - time to worry.
Usually I just show up in the pasture and they are finished - cull hard and look for "broad backed" animals.
To pull is a last resort.
Probably not much help, but it is simply what we do.
Bez
My time limits are a little shorter. If's really straining and not making apparent progress, 1 hour and I check to see why. Water breaks, 1 hour and I check to see why there aren't feet. Feet, one hour and I check, straighten out legs if required and give her a couple more good grunts, if the calf isn't coming I pull (assist).
dun
dun
Jeanne - Simme Valley
Well-known member
They used to recommend 2 hours in stage 2 on Heifers, but now they say no more than 1 hour. Research shows that more than that, & you are adding days longer before she returns to estrus.
We pretty much use the same time table as Dun. Progress is the key.
We pretty much use the same time table as Dun. Progress is the key.
TheBullLady
Well-known member
I use the same criteria.. it's not so much a matter of "how long" as it is what's happening. I've had heifers that get up and down and walk around for hours before anything happens. Once the water is out, I check every 30 minutes for feet. Then make sure it's front feet, there are two of them (one may be back a little way.. you have to look close) and that they're the right direction. I'm like dun.. if the feet are coming and the nose is out, but it's not progressing much, I'll hook on and give her a pull. She has a better chance of getting up and taking care of the calf if she doesn't spend a long period of time in labor.
docgraybull
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Here is a newsletter article on the subject of labor and intervention by Dr. Glenn Selk of Oklahoma State University.
COW/CALF CORNER
The newsletter
January 21, 2005
In this issue:
When do we intervene and assist a cow or heifer in labor?
Glenn Selk, OSU Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist
Spring calving season is upon the Oklahoma ranches that have spring calving. An issue facing the rancher at calving time, is the amount of time heifers or cows are allowed to be in labor before assistance is given. Traditional text books, fact sheets and magazine articles have sometimes stated that "Stage II" of labor lasted from 2 to 4 hours. "Stage II" is defined as that portion of the birthing process from the first appearance of the water bag until the baby calf is delivered. Newer data from Oklahoma State University and the USDA experiment station at Miles City, Montana clearly show that Stage II is much shorter, lasting approximately 60 minutes in first calf heifers, and 30 minutes in mature cows.
Table 1. Research Results of Length of Stage II of Parturition (Calving)
Research site
Number of cattle
Average Length of Stage II of Parturition
USDA (Montana)
24 mature cows
22.5 minutes
USDA (Montana)
32 first calf heifers
54.1 minutes
Oklahoma State Univ.
32 first calf heifers
63.4 minutes
In these studies, heifers that were in stage II of labor much more than one hour or cows that were in stage II much more than 30 minutes definitely needed assistance. Research information also shows that calves from prolonged deliveries are weaker and more disease prone, even if born alive. In addition, cows or heifers with prolonged deliveries return to heat later and are less likely to be bred for the next calf crop. Consequently a good rule of thumb is: If the heifer is not making significant progress 1 hour after the water bag or feet appear, examine the heifer to see if you can provide assistance. Mature cows (making little or no progress) should be watched for only 30 minutes before an obstetrical examine is conducted. If you cannot safely deliver the calf yourself at this time, call your local veterinarian immediately. Know your own limitations and give your veterinarian the best chance to help the cow and you.
Most ranches develop heifers fully, and use calving ease bulls to prevent calving difficulties. However, a few difficult births are going to occur each calving season. For the optimum health of the calf and the best future reproductive performance of the mother, stage II of labor should not be allowed to greatly exceed the averages shown in Table 1.
Pretty much in line with "our" Cattle Today Gurus! ;-)
COW/CALF CORNER
The newsletter
January 21, 2005
In this issue:
When do we intervene and assist a cow or heifer in labor?
Glenn Selk, OSU Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist
Spring calving season is upon the Oklahoma ranches that have spring calving. An issue facing the rancher at calving time, is the amount of time heifers or cows are allowed to be in labor before assistance is given. Traditional text books, fact sheets and magazine articles have sometimes stated that "Stage II" of labor lasted from 2 to 4 hours. "Stage II" is defined as that portion of the birthing process from the first appearance of the water bag until the baby calf is delivered. Newer data from Oklahoma State University and the USDA experiment station at Miles City, Montana clearly show that Stage II is much shorter, lasting approximately 60 minutes in first calf heifers, and 30 minutes in mature cows.
Table 1. Research Results of Length of Stage II of Parturition (Calving)
Research site
Number of cattle
Average Length of Stage II of Parturition
USDA (Montana)
24 mature cows
22.5 minutes
USDA (Montana)
32 first calf heifers
54.1 minutes
Oklahoma State Univ.
32 first calf heifers
63.4 minutes
In these studies, heifers that were in stage II of labor much more than one hour or cows that were in stage II much more than 30 minutes definitely needed assistance. Research information also shows that calves from prolonged deliveries are weaker and more disease prone, even if born alive. In addition, cows or heifers with prolonged deliveries return to heat later and are less likely to be bred for the next calf crop. Consequently a good rule of thumb is: If the heifer is not making significant progress 1 hour after the water bag or feet appear, examine the heifer to see if you can provide assistance. Mature cows (making little or no progress) should be watched for only 30 minutes before an obstetrical examine is conducted. If you cannot safely deliver the calf yourself at this time, call your local veterinarian immediately. Know your own limitations and give your veterinarian the best chance to help the cow and you.
Most ranches develop heifers fully, and use calving ease bulls to prevent calving difficulties. However, a few difficult births are going to occur each calving season. For the optimum health of the calf and the best future reproductive performance of the mother, stage II of labor should not be allowed to greatly exceed the averages shown in Table 1.
Pretty much in line with "our" Cattle Today Gurus! ;-)
