Should I have helped or not? Caution - long post

[royB]

We have been watching a 2nd calf cow (heifer if you prefer) for a couple months waiting for her to calve. When the vet preg checked he said any day and that was 3 weeks ago, and let me tell you she was getting LARGE in the middle.

Last Sunday morning when I went to check the heifers she was in the trees lying down. I checked her and could see the hooves and everything looked ok so I left. I went back about 45 min later and she was in about the same place, but I could see an outline of the nose but it looked like it was covered by the bag. I watched for several minutes, and several obvious pushes but she didn't seem to be making any progress.

I walked up to her but she did not try to get up so I figured she must be too tired. Once I got close, about 3 ft away, I could see that every time she would push the nose hung on the bag it there was no movement so I gently lifted the material over the calf’s nose. When I did I could actually see it come out a little. The next push there was movement but not much and she seemed very tired.

I grabbed the calf’s legs above the knuckle and hen she pushed I pulled. We made a little more progress and she seemed to try a little harder the next time. Two or three pulls later, after the head was out, the calf came flying out.

The cow slowly got up and I hung around long enough to make sure the calf was breathing.

He is not overly large, about 85 lbs. the question is, did I really help her or would she have done it alone.

I've only seen a handful of deliveries but none had this over their nose and hang up.

Roy

 

[jt]

i suspect you helped her... from my experience, the only cows that i could get close enough to help pull a calf without them getting up and running off, was the ones that really needed the help... and usually i would have to pull mighty hard... and the fact that she stayed in that position for 45 minutes tells me that she was having problems...

i dont figure that the stuff over the calf's nose was not holding him up, but i certainly figure you helped her out..

glad it worked out ok

jt

 

[dun]

You may not have needed, but you sure didn;t hurt anything and may have been exactly what was needed.
Too often we don;t realize we should have helped until it's too late. A cow not making visible progress in 45 minutes is a candidate for assistance.

dun

 

[Cattle Rack Rancher]

I don't think it ever hurts to give them a little hand so long as they don't attack you or something. I had a calf about 6 o'clock this morning that was coming out with the bag still intact. I could see the feet inside and she wasn't making enough progress for my liking. I just walked out and cut a slice in the bag with my knife just in case. Took her about two minutes to deliver that calf after I did that. I always figure less stress on the cow is better. Also, I had to get to work and I don't want to be sitting here all day wondering if she's making out alright.

 

[Bama]

My theory is if someone helps on a easier one they will know more of what to expect and how to position on a bad one.

 

[fellersbarnoneranch]

I am sure the cow thanked you in her own way! Good work! As long as you're not distracting a cow from her delivery--ie aggrivating and keeping them nervous/moving around...I think it is fine to lend a hand (like the others said 45 min or so after starting labor)

 

[Farmhand]

We too go ahead and help with delivery. Like how it helps keep the stress down. From the sound of things that cow needed your help. Glad everything worked out.

 

[Workinonit Farm]

After 45 minutes of little progress, you did as I would have done. Even ifshe would have done it on her own, it sounds like you were more of a help than a hinderance. Good job.

Katherine

 

[Victoria]

After 45 minutes and no progress it is definitely time to step in. I understand the theory of letting them have it alone but we have quite a few calm cows and if I see them delivering quite often I will help them out even if I am not needed, the less tired Mom and baby are after the delivery the better it is for both of them, so if I can speed up the process why not? Especially our old ladies, they know what they are doing, they can do it alone but there is a look of gratitude in their eyes when I help them.:) Congratulations on helping out - isn't it great to see a live calf, a happy Mom and know that you were part of it? One of the joys of the job. :D

 

[Salicylic]

Are you keeping the cow that needed help? Keeping heifers out of her? Aren't you just perpetuating the problem? What ever happened to cows that can deliver and care for their calf by themselves?


It is great that you were there to assist the cow, gives you a pair to take to the sale barn maybe the next one won't need any help.

 

[cowgal]

This place would be no fun without a good antagonist!

 

[Rookie]

royb - ya call THAT a long post????????????? :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

 

[susiq]

Are you keeping the cow that needed help? Keeping heifers out of her? Aren't you just perpetuating the problem?

Have you been in the cattle business very long? We just had a hard pull delivery on a cow that has just popped out 6 or 7 previous calves in years past and have kept 4 of her heifers and they have calved easy. Not a good reason to get rid of a potentially good cow unless they do it every time.

 

[sidney411]

Agree! You did a good job. I see it the same way, if the cow doesn't get up when you approach then there is probably a good reason to intervene. No harm done.

 

[Rustler9]

I see nothing wrong with helping her and I also see no need to sell the cow. Who knows? She may have gone ahead and had the calf by herself anyway or she may have really needed assistance-I wouldn't pass judgement yet, sounds to me like she deserves another chance. Just my opinion :D

 

[jt]

I see nothing wrong with helping her and I also see no need to sell the cow. Who knows? She may have gone ahead and had the calf by herself anyway or she may have really needed assistance-I wouldn't pass judgement yet, sounds to me like she deserves another chance. Just my opinion :D

it might not have been the cows fault... there was a bull involved that had a lot to say about that too 8)

jt

 

[Scotty]

I think you did very well and should be commended. I have read several artuicle here of late that said it is better to "always help heifers" because it lowers the chances of problems all around. My only beef with that is not every one is capable. Had a lot of stats about rebreed times and overall calve and mother health. Good catch.


Scotty

 

[Caustic Burno]

Are you keeping the cow that needed help? Keeping heifers out of her? Aren't you just perpetuating the problem? What ever happened to cows that can deliver and care for their calf by themselves?


It is great that you were there to assist the cow, gives you a pair to take to the sale barn maybe the next one won't need any help.

Well put too many city ranchers think the cows are pets. You saved the cow and the calf. Now its time to buy a ticket to ride cull the problem at the sale barn.

 

[frenchie]

Are you keeping the cow that needed help? Keeping heifers out of her? Aren't you just perpetuating the problem? What ever happened to cows that can deliver and care for their calf by themselves?


It is great that you were there to assist the cow, gives you a pair to take to the sale barn maybe the next one won't need any help.

Well put too many city ranchers think the cows are pets. You saved the cow and the calf. Now its time to buy a ticket to ride cull the problem at the sale barn.

amen

 

[royB]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Even the ones about getting rid of her and the calf.

Here is some background that I did not include. This was her second calf. She delivered her first calf no problem last yr. Last week her first calf delivered her first by herself no problems. The bull has sired 5 other calves so far this yr, all delivered with no problems.

So, while I basically agree a cow that has delivery problems probably should go, I have my reservations about this one.


Roy