Calving… What do I need for supplies?

By Ali Petersen

             For starters, experience is something that is acquired over a period of time. General knowledge of cattle and their anatomical make up is helpful, but that too will come with time. If you can find a book on birthing cattle, this would be a wise choice of information to add to your library. Read and reread the chapters on the correct position of the calf prior to delivery so you know what to expect and can detect any deviance from that. In the case of any abnormal position, call your vet and let him know what the situation is. If you can find video tape on calving, that too could be helpful, you will want to watch it several times and again each year, prior to calving, just so your remember when to do what,

            A list of supplies to have on hand (even for the most experienced or inexperienced) includes:

Your Vet’s phone number and your mobile phone – The MOST important thing to have on hand, especially for breeders with little or no experience. Do not hesitate, call your vet if you have a question or it appears the cow is having trouble. It is better to have a vet bill to pay than not have a live calf, or lose your cow.

Patience – This is the second most important thing to have on hand, Cows will calve when THEY are ready, often times at times most inconvenient for the cowman. Be patient, especially with the laboring cow, and all will work much better.

Latex gloves/vet sleeves – Always put gloves on before working inside the cow (putting straps or chains on the calf’s feet). Use them only once and dispose of them, reuse can cause contamination and infection.

Lubricating gel – Clean the back end of the cow with a mild soap and warm water before assisting with a delivery. Use a generous amount of lubricating gel on latex glove/vet sleeve prior to entering the birthing canal of the cow.

OB calving straps or chains – Used to assist in the delivery of calves. Are hooked to the front legs above the joint for best results.

Gentle iodine – In a spray bottle, to spray the navel cord after birth to reduce the possibility of infection and speed the drying of the cord.

Towels – Old bath towels, clean and dry (no fabric softener) to wipe off calves or hands after helping with the delivery if needed.

Show Blower – if you show cattle, this is the best tool available to dry cold, wet calves and not remove the original smell of the calf. This not only dries and warms, but also invigorates the calf and stimulates the appetite.

Powered colostrum – A dry powder form of colostrums to give to the calf if the mom won’t let it suck or if the calf is not strong enough to get up and suck. Mix as directed, but remember your calf is probably ½ the size of standard calves at birth, so they will not require a large amount (about a pint will usually be enough for the first time). The old times recommend the calf have colostrums within the first two hours of life for best immunity against possible disease.

Bottle and nipple – For miniature cattle, a pop bottle and a sheep nipple work really well. A regular calf nipple is good to have also and a bottle it will fit. I have improvised and used small juice bottles and calf nipples for calves.

Blanket/quilt – During early calving (Feb/Mar) sometimes calves need a little extra warmth. If not the calf, the cowman sometimes needs the blanket/quilt to keep warm while waiting for the calf to arrive. Coffee and/or hot chocolate are good too at 2 a.m. when the thermometer is reading about +20 and the water bag is visible, or possibly even the feet, but no rapid progress is being made.

Clean Straw – To bed the calving area and a few bales to sit on are handy too.

Help – If by chance your spouse, child or significant other can be convinced to with you and wait, a helping hand is often welcome at critical moments, but remember the patience here too. Especially if you have more than one calf expected during your calving season, loss of patience could leave you alone in the calving barn for the next time…

            Calving is a major part of the cow business, and being as well prepared for it as you can will make it much more pleasant and successful. Read, study, ask questions, call the vet, do what ever you have to do to make yourself comfortable with the process. 

Each birth is a new experience; here’s wishing each of you a successful calving season.

Reproduced from Miniature Cattle Around the World, Winter 2007, Vol. 9 No. 1, p. 4