Pulled first calf

[Anonymous]

Just got done pulling my first calf. Mature cow in labor 1.5 hrs no progress. So I came home, got her in the Headgate, and went in. Normal presentation just a big head
Hooked up the chains and pulled. Nothing giving and tight as a drum around the head. Hooked up the come along to a post on the hog pens directly behind the chute. Broke the ob chain. Tried again same thing but no breakage.tried turning the calf and still no forward progress. A half hour has passed. Finally let off tension on everything and tell Jessie to call the vet. Just then she pushed a might push and the shoulders cleared. After that it was easy.
110+ lb bull calf out of a char. Glad I'm not using that bull anymore but this is the first problem with a calf out of him

 

[chippie]

You really need to be careful about hooking to a post, truck or such using a come along. It is a good way to ruin a cow.

We hook a chain (or rope) on each leg, then when the cow pushes, pull on one leg, then the other. Sort of a see saw motion. Very often that will help work things through, especially if the shoulders are hanging up. Also wanted to add(I wasn't sure if you knew this), if the cow is standing, pull down, not straight out.

Happy that all turned out well.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks chippie. We tried doing one leg at a time, tried pulling down and all. The calf was just too big in the noggin and forelegs. Not enough space. I couldn't even get a finger past the head it was so tight. There may be a twin in there for all I know.
We ratcheted the come along with her pushing and watcher her close for signs of pinching as we pulled. Only used the come along because I figured if I didn't I was looking at cuting the calf apart or losing both.

 

[alisonb]

Sometimes pushing the calf back a bit, turning it slightly and lubricating very well makes things happen - especially if she was in labour that long.

 

[Anonymous]

Tried that Alison. Pushed it all the way back in to where the feet weren't even showing anymore

 

[chippie]

Well then, he was just one ginormous calf. Really happy that he came out OK.

 

[slick4591]

Glad all went well, Hook. Got a feeling I'll be doing it again in a week or so.

 

[SSGenetics]

Glad all went well, Hook. Got a feeling I'll be doing it again in a week or so.

Not to hound on you Slick, but why would you want a breed where pulling calves is the norm? :hide:

Glad you got him out Hook...

 

[dun]

Glad all went well, Hook. Got a feeling I'll be doing it again in a week or so.

Not to hound on you Slick, but why would you want a breed where pulling calves is the norm? :hide:

Glad you got him out Hook...

Had a nrighbor that said if you aren;t pulling 10% of your calves you're not challenging your cows. He got to the pint where he was really challenging htem by pulling 90%. He's no longer in the business, he just couldn;t figure out where he went wrong.

 

[Anonymous]

With all the genetics that are tracked and verified available these days I dot see any point in "challenging" cows

 

[slick4591]

Glad all went well, Hook. Got a feeling I'll be doing it again in a week or so.

Not to hound on you Slick, but why would you want a breed where pulling calves is the norm? :hide:

Glad you got him out Hook...

I still can't say it's the breed because I have semen in the tank from a bull out of Italy that throws light weights. These calves are the first of the bull's and I didn't have numbers on either side to work with. After talking to the breeder I felt as though I could manage them (everything they ate was strictly grass) and not have bad troubles. It's just what I decided to do at the time and I don't feel like I'm any different from a lot of folks at this point. I'm guessing I'll have another pull because these heifers are half sisters bred to the same bull.

 

[chippie]

With all the genetics that are tracked and verified available these days I dot see any point in "challenging" cows

That is true, but sometimes things just don't go like they should regardless of what you do.

 

[bigbull338]

sometimes you just have those big honking callves that are hard to pull.if we have to use the come along we always hook it to the fence to pull a calf.an so far never broke an OB chain.

 

[cow pollinater]

I'm rarely around when they calve so I don't pull many even if they need it but what I've always done is set up a pulley system. One at the calf, and another at the base of a post about eight feet behind her with a cotton rope... The ratcheting of a come along breaks things and tears up the cow as she doesnt' have time to stretch but the cotton rope on the pully gives a bunch of pressure without the jerks that tear things apart. Plus you can realy back off and apply pressure quickly.

 

[Bigfoot]

My calf puller pulls one leg a little then switches to the other back and fourth. I hear everyone talking about comalongs and pulleys. Is it because you don't have access to a puller, or opposed to a puller? Just wondering. Seems like out in the open, and cow on the end of a rope the come along or pulley would be useless.

 

[cross_7]

hook i guess the calf was dead ?
hows the cow ?

 

[greybeard]

My calf puller pulls one leg a little then switches to the other back and fourth. I hear everyone talking about comalongs and pulleys. Is it because you don't have access to a puller, or opposed to a puller? Just wondering. Seems like out in the open, and cow on the end of a rope the come along or pulley would be useless.

There's always something to tie to--a stump, a truck or tractor instead of a post, but I do have an EZ Pull type puller that I've never used but expect to have to next Feb. Got a young BM heifer that was bred last May 1 to a big Char bull and I doubt that is gonna go well.

 

[Anonymous]

hook i guess the calf was dead ?
hows the cow ?

Calf and cow are doing well. He took awhile to get up but I can't blame him

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

What did the little fellar weigh??

 

[Anonymous]

I only Have a bathroom scale and it tops at 300. I'm 205 and the scale gave me an error reading.With me holding the calf.