Waiting .....

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torogmc81

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A watched cow never calves???

Have a heifer that was due to calf on the 16th. And I'm still waiting. All my other ladies were have been within a day +/- of due date since the start of 2013 (I guess I've been spoiled then??).

She's bagged up consistent with how our other calving heifers have done in recent past. Somewhat loose, but not convincing. But I swear she's at least 3x as loose tonight, and pretty sure I got a glisten of some discharge by way of the flashlight. Bag hasn't changed as much as her vagina has.

I'm saying if that calf ain't on the ground by Sunday night I'll be shocked .....
 
I know right??? Thank you

Last detected heat was Sept. 7/8th. Everyone keeps asking if Im sure she didn't come back in 3 weeks later, and I'm sure. There's no way she'd go another 2+ weeks. She's just gotta be late, by at least 4 days .....
 
Try and keep an eye on her. If she's late like you think there's a good possibility that the calf is going to be big. Good luck.
 
I had a second timer this year calf at 302 days... talk about WAITING!, calf wasn't bigger than average though. I'm going to bet it's a bull calf though!

You have been spoiled, my cows are usually between 285 and 292 days, with the average being 288... Strangest thing is, hardly ANY of them calf on that day!
 
Oh, and I have a heifer that's probably due in about a month... I'm not staying up for her, she's late, she can do it on her own!.. Same with the other two late cows, some morning I'm going to go feed them their bale of hay and there'll be a calf there
 
I got a cow who will bag up and her vagina will spring for 2 weeks before she calves. Right now I am watching that cows daughter and looks like she is doing the same thing going to tease me for a couple of weeks.
 
Waiting no more!! Arliene "Teddy girl" got going finally
DSCN0710_zps7c9aab70.jpg

Heifer calved early Sunday morning sometime. Calf already had lots of milk, placenta thrown by noon. Great first time mom!!! Excited and relieved
 
.... and Nesi I agree!! That's what I told this heifer. You're on your own, and she listened, LOL.

And sorry to tell you you're wrong, but it's a heifer calf, LOL. Guessing somewhere in the 68-75 # range
 
I couldn't decide whether to start a new thread with this or not so i'll see how the responses go.
I have two things I've been observing.

1. The new calf's eyeballs(at the top of the ball) are very red. Calf's eyesight is fine, just wondering if the pressure/strain of calving (unassisted) can pop some blood vessels in the eye ball whites?

2. More importantly. This new moms bag seems to be not holding a lot of milk, lack of production. I was observing the calf nursing earlier and the calf was quickly switching between all four teats every few seconds, and butting the bag frequently also. The calf is almost 48 hours old. The calf has lots of energy in the pen, so that makes me lot worry as much, very alert, and found quite a bit of manure from the new calf. I know the new mom had a decent swollen bag close to calving, and was deflated fairly well after I found them the next morning. Do some new moms take a little more time to start producing larger amounts of milk? Caused by heat/humidity? Cow has good feed, hay, clean water etc. Penned in barn with fan, circulation, shade, etc. She's a reg. Angus that was shown until 10 months old. Sorry I didn't get any pics on here. But I have never seen this "unfull" of a bag on any others weve ever had, first time calver or not. Thank you in advance for the feedback
JUstin
 
Justin if the calf is pooping and peeing it is getting something. Does it get milk on its face? Does it wiggle it's tail while it's nursing?
It is true that some heifers take a bit longer to come into full milk. I would just keep a very close eye on the calfs out put. If that slows down, you may have a problem. Also the calf will keep trying to nurse until it is weary.
Signs of dehydration- Sunken eyes, poor skin turger, decreased out put, dry nose and mouth. Very concentrated urine (dark yellow as opposed to pale yellow.)

If the eyes are not watering and otherwise normal, the blood vessels are probably not a concern.
 
I didn't see milk on face during yesterdays observation, but did see the tail moving a lot. I'm just wondering too if this calf has a huge appetite. I havn't seen any urination but I tend to leave a new mom and calf to themselves as much as possible, so many of my sightings are 5-10 min here or there while bring feed and hay to momma. I also wonder if I let them out to the small pasture if that'll help momma's production giving her access and free range compared to in the barn.
 
The calf is like a bady human or puppy. Usually pees when it wakes up and after it nurses. Lol try to watch for urine. You probably wont have to watch too long.

As far as turning her out. I don't know if that will make a difference in milk production or not, but if all seems well, it certainly would be a good idea. Especially if you can still keep an eye out for any problems.

Maybe post a picture of her udder for folks to see if you want a second opinion on it.
Good luck.
 
branguscowgirl":1jwgtc7w said:
The calf is like a bady human or puppy. Usually pees when it wakes up and after it nurses. Lol try to watch for urine. You probably wont have to watch too long.

As far as turning her out. I don't know if that will make a difference in milk production or not, but if all seems well, it certainly would be a good idea. Especially if you can still keep an eye out for any problems.

Maybe post a picture of her udder for folks to see if you want a second opinion on it.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Camera is out of memory or I'd get a pic. I think I can get a pic this afternoon. I just went out again and saw the calf urinate for at least 12 seconds. Seemed clear from my view. I see that calf up a lot so I'm really thinking it might be a combination of the calf snacking a lot, instead of larger feedings? Along with a less than moderate milk production? Calf once again had pep in it's step and when I do see it laying down, she's always got her head up, rarely sleeping and very alert. Calf is now more than 48 hours old.
(I'm an obvious worrier out here with my heard, I like knowing everything is 100% AOK)
 
torogmc81":4ij75guv said:
Waiting no more!! Arliene "Teddy girl" got going finally
DSCN0710_zps7c9aab70.jpg

Heifer calved early Sunday morning sometime. Calf already had lots of milk, placenta thrown by noon. Great first time mom!!! Excited and relieved
Click to expand...

I absolutely dare you to get that close to one of my girls when the calf is new to the ground - best have your life and disability insurance paid up!

Well done

Bez__
 

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