4 Best Practices for Assisting Cows During Calving

With calving season approaching, there are a number of best practices you should consider when assisting your cows during calving. 

In this post, you’ll learn:

• The supplies and equipment you’ll need

• When to help mama cow during calving  

• If you should call the veterinarian

• 3 ways to provide postpartum care to your cow

To get this information as a pdf, along with a list of popular animal health products and supplies that can help during calving season, download our free guide Best Practices for Assisting Cows During Calving.

1. Have the Right Supplies and Equipment for Calving

A broad variety of supplies and equipment are helpful during calving. Facilities vary, but having somewhere safe to handle your cows is important. Chutes are ideal because some cows get nervous during calving and need extra restraint for safety. 

Obstetrical sleeves can help protect against infection if you need to reach in a cow to assist with a calf birth.

You may also want a head snare to help redirect calves and ensure their head is coming in the right direction and not turning back on itself. OB chains  (30”, 45”, or 60”) and handles will help assist in pulling the calf. A calf jack is also good to have on hand just in case.

It’s important to have lots of lube when pulling a calf. A great tip is to have an equine stomach pump and hose, which allows you to pump a warm water and lube mixture from a bucket into the cow’s birth canal and around the calf. This will lubricate the birth canal and create buoyancy for the calf, helping you get the calf out more easily. 

Get all the veterinarian-backed calving essentials you need in one click on FBN with the FBN Calving Kit. This all-in-one, convenient kit helps you stay organized and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

2. Know When to Help a Cow Give Birth

While you may have some anxiety about how the cow is dealing with birthing, you should pay attention to how she behaves. If she stops actively pushing, grab a sleeve and see what’s going on. Determine if she’s too tired or if there’s a reason why the calf isn’t coming out.

If she’s been actively lying down to calve for 1–2 hours, use a sleeve to inspect the situation. If you see no progression in 1–2 hours, such as not seeing the “water bag” or placenta come through and break or you don’t see the calf’s feet, this could mean the cow is not dilated enough or the calf is positioned the wrong way in the birth canal.

If you are assisting the cow, try to pull when she pushes. Work with her, not against her. If the cow lets up, give her a break and then continue the cycle of pulling and pushing. This is a good collaborative way to get the calf out of the cow with minimal stress to both cow and calf.

3. Don’t Wait Too Long to Call a Veterinarian During Calving

If you’ve been physically working and assisting the cow for more than 45 minutes, it’s a good time to call a veterinarian. Depending on how far away your vet is, you may want to call sooner. 

One of the biggest mistakes producers make is not calling a vet when their help could make a difference. In the end, you can do more damage than good, which could result in a cow that’s exhausted or, in a worst case scenario, a calf that’s passed away. 

The faster you’re able to get a professional to help, the more likely the calf will live. This is especially true if the cow has to undergo a c-section. 

4. Provide Postpartum Care to Your Cow

If the cow had a tough calving, here are three treatments to consider: 

Uterine Boluses

Uterine boluses, an antiseptic and proteolytic aid, will help with retained placenta or help with any uterine infections. You can find uterine boluses on FBN.

Pain Medications and Antibiotics

Discuss available options with your veterinarian if the cow is not recovering as you’d expect. Antibiotics, among many other pharmaceuticals, are available on FBN’s online animal health store. 

FBN carries over-the-counter and prescription animal health products. If you’d like to purchase a product that requires a prescription, provide your preferred veterinarian’s contact information when you place your online order, and we’ll reach out to them on your behalf to obtain the prescription. Download instructions.

Oral Rehydration

Oral rehydration is particularly important if the cow calves during extremely hot or cold weather. Calving is a stressful event for the cow, and oral rehydration could help produce more colostrum, which will enable the cow to better attend to her calf. 

Calving & Animal Health Supplies from FBN

Get the calving supplies you need delivered when you need them from FBN so you can be ready for a safe and successful calving season. FBN also offers other animal health supplies, including vaccines, antibiotics, implants, and other key supplies, with fast direct-to-farm delivery to keep your herd healthy throughout the year.

Download a list of popular animal health products and supplies that can help during calving season here.

Related Resources

• Newborn Calf Respiratory Diseases and Calf Scours: Causes and Treatments

• Why Is It Important for Calves to Receive Colostrum?

• How Does Cow Body Condition Impact Reproductive Performance?

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