Pregnancy
Gestation Table
Time of Service Due Date (283 days)1st Jan 10th Oct8 1715 2422 3129 7th Nov5th Feb 1412 2119 2826 5th Dec5th Mar 1212 1919 2626 2nd Jan2nd April 99 1616 2323 3030 6th Feb7th May 1314 2021 2728 4th Mar4th June 1311 20 18 2725 3rd Apr 2 July 109 1716 2423 1st May30 8 6th Aug 1513 22 20 2927 5th June3rd Sept 12 10 1917 2624 3rd July1st Oct 108 17 15 2422 3129 7th Aug5th Nov 14
12 2119 28 26 4th Sept 3rd Dec 11 10 1817 2524 2nd Oct31 9
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signs
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Disclaimer: The following is given for informational purposes only. You must use your own judgment in how to apply this to your own situation, consult with your vet if you anticipate any problems. A dead calf will cost you more than a vet call.
It is very important to note that you do not let your cows get too fat particularly in late pregnancy. The last two months is when the calf will put on weight and you do not want a big calf to cause any problems during delivery. It is also important not to allow your cows to be too thin either. They need to be in good condition to get through labour and to be able to nurture the calf .
The patter of little feet (or hooves) is such an exciting time, so be prepared. Signs of pregnancy and delivery vary from animal to animal, but basic signs to look for -• Swelling of the vulva (vulva area becomes loose and wobbles when walking)• Swelling of the teats and milk bag• Dropping of the hip bones (tail head raised) usually within 10 daysAs delivery gets closer - signs are Holding tail up
Clear mucus discharge
Large dark coloured discharge followed by a bag of dark coloured fluid
Laying down and getting up
Out by themselves
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Be prepared
It never hurts to be prepared in the event a cow needs a little help from you on occasion. The best preparation is knowing what is "normal", what you should expect, knowing when to help and when not to help. Also in determining whether it's something you can do yourself, or you need to call the vet. If you can look for some of these signs, you will at least know what to tell your vet when you do call him. Stage 1 - Mucous plug - Clear discharge (usually means calving within 48 hrs)- Contractions 15 minutes apart - (2 to 8 hours) - Appearance of water sacStage 2 - This can last from 30 minutes to 4 hours) - Water sac- Contractions 3 to 5 minutes apart (then)- Contractions 1 to 3 minutes apart- Cow may take a 5 to 10 minute break after the head is deliveredIntervention Required When - Water sac visible for 2 hours and she is not trying to deliver.- Trying for 30 minutes to 1 hour and not making progress. - Bleeding from rectum - Swelling of calf's tongue- Stops trying for 15 to 20 minutes - Abnormal presentationPrior To Pulling Calf- Wash & sanitize with solution of warm water antiseptic or dish soap- Manually dilate birth canal for 2 to 10 minutes- Once the cow is in the crush, when the cow is having contractions you can pull, but only when it is having contractions or - - Drop cow on her right side (use a rope around hind quarters)- Hook chains just above joint on the calf, then half hitch on lower leg- Pull lower leg first to "walk" shoulder through, then pull other leg & shoulder.- Pull straight out, only when cow is pushing- Allow chest to expand and breathe (continual pulling will suffocate calf)- Rotate calf 45 to 90 degrees to allow hips to pass through.If you aren't confident in doing this, call the vet if it is not proceeding, as time is of essence! A calf puller is a very handy tool.After Calf Is Born - Wait until cow has licked off calf, giving them time to bond, and wait until the calf has nursed if possible. Watch and make sure that the calf is drinking!
If its poo is black then it has not had a drink, if it is yellow then it has had milk. (It usually takes 24 hours before the black poo passes.)
-Check that mum can get to water and food easily as they don't move far in the first 24 hours after the calf is born.
BE AWARE: that cows of any breed are usually protective of their new born calves and can be very wary of you getting close to their new babies.