Calving Cows

Watch the video below to learn how to check springers, collect newborn calves and record their details.

Checking springers

Cows close to calving, or springers, must be inspected frequently; most farms arrange for them to be checked at least every 6 hours and sometimes more often, especially in poor weather.

Check springers for signs of labour regularly, quietly, and thoroughly and record what you observe.

Quietly

Walk quietly through the springer mob – when cows are feeding is best. Don’t walk through the mob when cows are hungry and are waiting to be moved to fresh grass or a new break. Look for cows that are showing signs of labour and try not to disturb them.

Regularly

Check cows at least four times a day. Create a routine for springer checks.

Thoroughly

Check all areas of the paddock, and depending how good the fencing is, check the paddocks next door as well. Check drains, hollows, long grass, hedges – anywhere a calf could be hiding.

Record

Note the number of any cow or heifer that has started to show signs of calving, or has calved, and report to your team so you can keep an eye on her progress.

Early signs of labour

• Springing up - swelling of udder
• Milk dripping from teats
• Mucus string from vulva
• Restlessness

Stages of labour

Calving will progress at different rates for different cows. Some may show many signs whereas others may show very few signs.

Generally, labour can be broken into three stages: preparation for labour, delivery, and cleaning.

Preparation for labour

Look for these signs when observing springers:

• isolated from herd and reduced appetite
• pelvic ligaments relaxed - vulva looks swollen and flabby
• dip between tailhead and pin-bones
• tummy less full as calf moves into birth canal/birthing position
• mothering other cows’ calves
• discomfort – swishing tail, arched back, restless, peeing, kicking and nosing at her side, tail raising
• straining/contractions
• water bag protruding

Delivery

Cows should take 30 minutes to one hour to calve – no more than two hours. Heifers should take two to three hours to calve – no more than four hours.

Delivery process

During a standard delivery the following process will occur:

• The cow starts straining and pushing – two feet are visible within the water sack.
• Once the feet are 10cm clear of the vulva the head has cleared the pelvis. The chest of the calf has not passed through the pelvis at this stage and the umbilical cord is still attached so the cow is still providing oxygen to the calf.
• Once the head has cleared the pelvis, the cow may rest for a minute or two. Once the calf’s shoulders have cleared the pelvis, the birth will continue fairly quickly. The umbilical cord will have likely broken by this point and the calf will start to breathe on its own.
• After a normal birth, the cow will stand, sniff and start to lick the newborn calf. Licking will help dry the calf, stimulate blood flow and prevent the calf from getting too cold.

Cleaning

The cleaning process is where the cow's uterus sheds all material related to pregnancy and returns to its normal size. This process is necessary for the cow to return to normal cycling behaviour and improve her chances of becoming pregnant again in the future. It includes:

• The placenta will normally be shed within six hours of birth.
• The uterus then begins to shrink back to normal size.
• If only a small part of the placenta comes away, record this and let your manager know.
• Don’t pull on the placenta- this can damage the uterus and is painful for the cow.

The calving cow

Assessing calf presentation

Look at the way the joints move.

The front leg fetlock and knee bend in the same direction. The back leg fetlock and hock bend in opposite directions.

Use this to help identify if the calf is presented head first (normal presentation) or backwards (abnormal presentation).

Normal presentation

Normal presentation is when the two front feet and head move through the pelvis first.

The feet and head of the calf create a wedge which assists in opening the birthing canal.

Even if a calf is in the right position, assistance may be needed if the calf is too big for the cow.

The calf may need to be rotated to fit through the pelvis.

Abnormal presentation

A calf which is abnormally presented is likely to need assistance calving.

Examples of abnormal presentations

If you are unsure how to correct an abnormal presentation call your manager or vet for help. Watch and learn from anyone who is experienced in calving cows and take opportunities to feel for abnormal presentation and to assist with difficult calvings.

Assisting calving

If calving is not proceeding normally, remedial action must be taken. When assisting with calving, be sure to wear gloves to prevent spreading bugs between you and the cow and vice versa. Use plenty of lube to protect the cow, and to help make the calving easier for you and her.

If you need to correct the calf presentation, be sure to cup the calf’s hooves or teeth with your hand. This will help protect the cow’s uterine wall from being damaged.

Calving ropes, chains, jacks, or pulleys can be used to assist cows that are having trouble calving. However, they must be used correctly to make sure they assist the cow and do not harm her or her calf. A moving vehicle must not be used to provide traction to assist calving. See the Code of Welfare: Dairy Cattle.

Assist the cow to calve with gentle traction for 10 minutes. Work with the cow and her contractions. Assisting cows to calve can be very tiring- for us and them- and it’s important to make sure the cow receives the right intervention and care to minimise pain and distress. If you have not made progress, call for help.

Calving ropes/chains

When using calving ropes or chains, ensure calf presentation is correct before you attach them. Make sure you loop them around the leg twice, on either side of the joint, to avoid injury to the calf. Pull on alternate legs to ‘walk’ the calf through the pelvis. Don’t pull both legs at once.

Calving jacks and pulleys

The use of calving jacks and pulleys can produce a large amount of force. Ensure that you are properly trained and confident in the use of calving jacks and pulleys and only use them when necessary to avoid injuring the cow and calf.

Calf resuscitation

If calves are not breathing, attempt to resuscitate them immediately by:

• Clearing airways
• Rubbing flank of calf vigorously
• Tickling nostril with straw/grass to stimulate sneeze
• Pouring a bucket of cold water over the head to stimulate gasp
• Performing mouth to mouth/nose

Don’t hang a calf upside down to resuscitate – this compresses the diaphragm and makes it harder for the calf to breathe.

Signs a cow has calved

• Hollow looking or slab sided
• Appetite returned
• Red, stretched/floppy vulva, might be bruised or torn
• Blood/mucus in tail/udder/hocks
• Dirty flanks
• Teats clean/suckled by calf
• Has a calf with her
• Looking for a calf or murmuring to calf
• Afterbirth may be hanging out of vulva or already ejected – she may be eating it

Cows post-calving

Recently calved cows are fragile and need close monitoring. If you assisted the birth, check for a twin. Keep a close eye on the colostrum cows and report any that are showing signs of being unwell.

Find information about managing mastitis and looking after transition cows during the post-calving period. For information about caring for down cows, including lifting and moving, see the Down cows page.