farmergirl98 said:
:shock: ok. I have been raising livestock around the USA for 7 years/ I am in 4-H and FFA. The 1st cow I raised is pregnant, but I am not sure how close she is. Her bag is big and tight and here in the past two days, it has gotten sore. She is twitching her tail and she has gel like stuff draining from her back end. She is also loose in the back and has 3 or 4 flaps of skin. Does anyone have any advice. We are both first timers.Thanks
-farmergirl98-You asked for advice. Your cow will give indications of uneasyness - lying down - standing up- lying down again, rolling on her side and straining momentarily. Her waterbag ( which is that "balloon" in the picture) is the Amnion, which contains the calf. The calf's front feet feet should protrude from the cow first, and after a half an hour, to an hour and a half, the calf shoud be 'dropped', or born. The cow should be able to lick it clean. You might have a large bath towel handy to help clean off it's nose and dry it, but watch Mamma while you do it because she may not like you horsing around with her calf! After fifteen minutes or so the calf should be able to stagger to it's feet and fall on it's nose a few times before the cow directs it to her udder to nurse. They are hardy animals, and usually don't need too much assistance in getting the calf into this world. If you see that the cow is having a hard time with the delivery (the rear legs are protruding instead of the front legs, or the head is turned around backwards, and she is obviously not going to be able to deliver it without help, get someone who knows what they are doinig to assist with the birthing. Don't do it yourself unless you have done it before! Call a Veterinarian.
For future information, get on the Internet and get on "Dogpile.com" or "Google.com" and type in the [SEARCH] box "Birthing calves", and read and learn.
Would you jump in an airplane and attempt to fly around the world without learning how to fly? Same thing here. You should learn what you are doing before trying to do it!!
:roll: If you have been "raising livestock around the USA for seven years", I am surprised that you don't know the details of parturition!
I suspect that the calf is already here, and I hope it is healthy.
DOC HARRIS
