Just how long

[slick4591]

Topic at the coffee shop this morning was the weather and calving. Several of the guys are sweating calves in this weather just like I am, so I asked: How long do you give a cow in labor until you get involved? Answers were from a couple of hours to 8 were given. One said it depended on whether she was bred to a LBW bull or not. I'm thinking 8 hours is just too long and yes, how she was bred probably plays a role.

Just wondering what your answers are?

 

[dun]

The vets I've talked to say any where from a half hour to an hour for cows as long as she's making progress and heifers an hour as long as she's making progress.

 

[piedmontese]

I sure wouldn't wait 8hrs. I think you would be delivering a dead calf. I guess it depends on where she's at as far the calf. Is he partially put or not.

 

[Jake]

As long as a heifer is making progress is observed I won't mess with them. 30-45 of no progress and I step in.
For cows though they get checked once maybe twice a day and are left alone to do their thing on their own.

 

[slick4591]

The low birth weight bull answer was given in the context that if she didn't get a small calf out pretty quick then it should be pulled because it should have come out easily. I'm thinking I would wait maybe an hour after the legs were presented in just about any situation.

 

[TexasBred]

Had a heifer calf at 1:25pm today. Had been less than an hour. Began cleaning the calf immediately, he was up after about 20 minutes and has now nursed and is sleeping.

 

[dun]

Had a heifer calf at 1:25pm today. Had been less than an hour. Began cleaning the calf immediately, he was up after about 20 minutes and has now nursed and is sleeping.

That's pretty much the way it's supposed to work

 

[Aaron]

I give them up to two hours. Had one cow (an ex-show pet) take 12 hours to calve. Continually thought I was going to help her out. One benefit of not having pampered show cattle around anymore.

 

[bigbull338]

if we see a cow an know she hasnt been in labor long we wait 30 mins to 1 hr.an if we think we need to pull the calf we will go a head an pull it.

 

[slick4591]

I give them up to two hours. Had one cow (an ex-show pet) take 12 hours to calve. Continually thought I was going to help her out. One benefit of not having pampered show cattle around anymore.

There's no way I could keep out of it for 12 hours.

 

[randiliana]

Once they've had the waterbag, we give a cow about 1/2 hour and a heifer 1 hour. I'd rather help sooner than later. The longer you wait to help out the weaker the calf and the more tired the cow gets. Better to have helped and have a strong healthy calf, than to wait and have a weak or dead one! Never been upset because I helped out too soon, but had the odd time where I wished we'd helped sooner.

 

[Aaron]

I give them up to two hours. Had one cow (an ex-show pet) take 12 hours to calve. Continually thought I was going to help her out. One benefit of not having pampered show cattle around anymore.

There's no way I could keep out of it for 12 hours.

I didn't. Checked her a couple hours in and everything was right. Wasn't a big calf and she was dilated. Just didn't want to push. I don't interfere once I know everything is coming properly.