Checking points related to care pre and post calving for your dairy farm
Parturition, the process of giving birth, is a critical event in the lifecycle of a dairy cow and requires careful management before and after calving. The well-being of the cow during this period is crucial as any adverse event can have lasting effects on her health and productivity. Additionally, newborn calves are highly sensitive to their environment and require special care. This article aims to outline the stages of cow birth and highlight key care points that are essential for ensuring the health and well-being of both the cow and her calf.
Calving time management
Parturition in dairy cows is a complex physiological process encompassing prepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum stages, each of which is integral to the successful outcome of calving. The management of parturition extends beyond the actual birthing event, necessitating careful attention to various aspects before, during, and after calving. In the following, we clarify the distinct stages of cow calving and emphasize critical management considerations to optimize the health and well-being of both the dam and his offspring during this important reproductive event.
Monitoring before giving birth
Effective planning for a successful cow calving commences well in advance of the event, involving strategic actions like timely insemination using high-quality sperm. The foundation of a robust and healthy cow is laid from birth through meticulous health and nutritional care from infancy to delivery. The quality of a cow’s birth is intricately linked to its growth and breeding practices. Robust and well-developed cows have the capacity to deliver resilient calves, showcasing maternal influences on calf vitality. Conversely, cows that are underweight, undersized, or overweight may encounter challenges during or post-calving.
Transition period in dairy cows
The transition period spans two weeks before and after calving, during which a cow transitions from a non-lactating to a lactating state while also experiencing the challenges of giving birth. Feed intake is typically reduced during this time due to factors such as birth stress, limited abdominal space, and physiological changes. It is commonly advised to gradually switch a cow’s feed ration from dry cow or heifer feed to dairy cow feed during this critical period to avoid issues like acidosis or milk fever that can arise from sudden dietary changes. Maintaining the proper balance of anions and cations in the diet is essential to prevent conditions like milk fever. Addressing potential problems during the transition period can help minimize issues during lactation, including mastitis, fatty liver, milk production decline, infertility, and other complications.
Choosing the right sperm
Selecting the appropriate sperm for breeding should be guided by an expert and tailored to both the sperm’s characteristics and the cow’s traits. It is crucial to consider that sperm intended for producing large calves may not be suitable for heifers or smaller cows as they can heighten the chances of difficult birthing. In the subsequent discussion, we will delve into the factors and strategies involved in managing birthing difficulties.
Maternity area, designated for cows nearing parturition
Cows nearing calving should be housed in a clean and easily accessible area. Typically, the maternity area where cows are expected to give birth should be located near the workers’ station for regular monitoring every two hours or continuous observation of any potentially problematic cows.
Cows approaching calving should be housed in a designated maternity area. When signs of labor are observed, the cow should be promptly moved to this space. The maternity ward should have a dry environment with a floor covered in clean, soft straw and stubble. It is important to thoroughly clean and disinfect the area before each delivery. Cows in the maternity ward should have access to feed and water, and a portable milking machine should be available for milking colostrum immediately after birth. Additionally, all necessary supplies and facilities for calving should be readily accessible at all times.
Signs of parturition in cow
Recognizing the signs of parturition in cows involves observing physical and behavioral changes. Typically, cows’ udders begin to enlarge two to three weeks before calving, while heifers experiencing this growth later. Milk production commences shortly before delivery, causing the udders to become full and smooth as colostrum is produced for the calf. A hollowing around the tail indicates that calving will occur within the next two to three hours, accompanied by the presence of mucus or slimy discharge from the vagina. Additionally, cows nearing parturition exhibit restlessness, decreased appetite, and a tendency to separate from the herd.
First step: Preparing the for calf delivery
Uterine contractions increase two hours before the cow gives birth. Uterine contractions are faster in cows than in heifers. In heifers, these contractions occur every 60 minutes, while in multiparous cows, contractions will occur every 30 minutes. As a result of contractions, the calf enters the birth canal with its hands and head. If the calf is properly placed in the canal, the calf will be born spontaneously.
The second stage: Delivery of the calf
As the uterus contracts, the calf moves further down, leading to the rupture of the sac or fetal membranes. This marks the beginning of the birthing process. There are two water sacs, with the first being the chorioallantois and the second, the amnion, typically rupturing an hour later. The calf is gradually guided towards the birth canal through contractions. Around two hours after the sacs tear, the calf’s hands become visible, and natural birth usually occurs within half to two hours. If the cow progresses through these stages naturally, it is best not to intervene. However, if the calf does not emerge within an hour for cows or an hour and a half for heifers after the hands are visible, investigation into the delay is necessary. In cases where natural birth is not possible or if there are delays, seeking advice from an expert or veterinarian for intervention is recommended.
The third stage: Delivery of the placenta and fetal membranes
Two to eight hours after giving birth, the placenta is removed from the cow’s body. If this does not happen naturally, placental retention has occurred. The cause of placental retention is usually the poor management of the cow before calving. Placenta retention leads to complications such as uterine infections and problems related to re-fertility. If you see a retained placenta, you should consult a specialist veterinarian.
As mentioned, it is not necessary to interfere with the natural birth of the cow. But if the following events are observed, the cow should be helped to give birth.
- After 4 to 6 hours from the onset of restlessness, the birthing process has not started.
- After 2 hours, no part of the calf can be seen.
- If the calf’s hands or snout are visible, but after two hours, birth has not yet occurred
- or any other abnormal event
It is important to highlight that failure to assist during birth or any incorrect intervention can result in harmful consequences for both the cow and the calf. These may include damage to the uterus and vagina, infections, respiratory issues, as well as injuries to the calf’s joints and bones, or even the unfortunate demise of either the calf or the mother.
What is difficult calving?
Any form of abnormality during calving, whether assistance is needed or not, is considered a difficult calving. Difficult calving may result in the complications mentioned above.
What is the cause of difficult calving?
Difficult calving in cattle can stem from various factors, which may originate from either the mother or the calf. Dam-related factors may encompass issues like uterine torsion, complications associated with the placenta, and vaginal problems. Typically, heifers encounter more labor challenges due to their narrower pelvic space.
Calf-related difficulties can arise from factors such as size discrepancies between the calf and the mother (particularly large calves for heifers), excessive calf size, twin births, the positioning of the calf’s organs, and the angle of the calf’s back line, all of which can affect the birthing process and may also be linked to maternal factors.
What should be done when a cow does not give birth?
How to help the cow during difficult calving?
When faced with a cow experiencing difficulty in giving birth, maintaining composure is paramount. Handling such situations should be left to experienced veterinarians, as mistakes by inexperienced individuals can exacerbate the problem and cause harm. It’s crucial to stress that these scenarios are provided for informational purposes only, and seeking assistance from a qualified professional is imperative for resolving birthing complications, as emotional responses or incorrect actions can worsen the situation.
Preparation for managing challenging births necessitates assembling specific equipment, including a rope for securing the cow’s tail, a chain or rope for assisting in calf extraction, disinfectants and lubricants, specialized sanitary gloves, and a clean bucket with lukewarm water. Prior to any intervention, thorough handwashing up to the arms followed by the use of hygienic, clean gloves is essential. Assessing the calf’s condition manually is the next step, emphasizing the significance of hygiene due to the susceptibility of both cows and calves to infections, which can also pose risks to humans. Initial assessment of the calf’s condition can be conducted through either ultrasound examination or manual palpation.
If the following conditions are observed, there is not much difficulty ahead.
- The calf’s head protrudes from the vulva, with its head positioned within the pelvis.
- Amniotic fluid, known as calf poison, is discharged from the cow’s vulva during maternal contractions.
3-Upon manual examination within the vulva, there should be adequate space surrounding the calf.
Conversely, the following scenarios indicate more challenging births:
- Absence of any of the aforementioned conditions.
- The calf’s legs or back protrude outward, while its head remains inward, indicating a critical and urgent situation requiring immediate intervention.
- The calf’s hands are positioned on the hips in a crossed manner, suggesting that the shoulders are wider than the maternal cavity, signifying a serious condition.
- The calf’s hooves are turned inward, resulting in outward joint positioning.
Intervening during calving typically involves first attempting to correct the calf’s position within the uterus, if feasible. If a calf’s leg is positioned outward, immediate extraction is necessary. However, if the calf’s head is positioned outward, manual adjustment may be attempted carefully. This process requires precision, as incorrect manipulation can lead to severe damage.
If the mother is unable to deliver the calf naturally, the next step involves gently assisting in extraction. This entails securing the calf’s legs with a specialized rope or chain and carefully pulling in coordination with the cow’s uterine contractions. It’s crucial to avoid excessive force or attachment to machinery, as this may result in serious injury to either the calf or the mother.
In cases where conventional methods prove ineffective, and to ensure the safety of both dam and calf, a cesarean operation performed by a skilled veterinarian becomes necessary.
After the calf is born
Upon birth, the calf enters its most critical life stage, as the sudden environmental shift induces significant stress. To facilitate breathing, it’s advisable to promptly clear uterine fluids from the calf’s mouth, ensuring an unobstructed airway. Cows instinctively groom their newborns with their tongues, promoting circulation throughout the calf’s body. Furthermore, immediate removal of the placenta from the cow is essential, as cows may attempt to ingest it post-birth.
The co should have access to clean and fresh water. Adequate water intake aids in replenishing lost fluids, filling the rumen, and reducing the risk of milk fever.
Directly nursing from the mother’s udder should be avoided to mitigate the risk of calf illness. Instead, colostrum, rich in essential antibodies, should be carefully milked from the cow post-birth and promptly fed to the calf, with a recommended intake of at least 2 kg. This ensures the crucial transfer of immunity to the newborn calf, bolstering its health and vitality.
