The mystery of the emergence of a new life is always an exciting and crucial moment. In animal husbandry, where the basis for making a profit is a large and he althy livestock, a safe release from the burden plays an important role. In dairy cattle breeding, giving birth to cows is a hope not only for the repair of the herd, but also for obtaining milk in general. The process doesn't always go smoothly. Timely assistance can save the life of both the calf and the mother.
Cow care
Cow birth is the apogee of painstaking and lengthy work of a livestock breeder. There are heifers at the age of 18 months, when they reach a live weight of at least 380 kg or 75% of the weight of an adult cow. The pregnancy period lasts about 9 months. Fluctuations in terms are due to the age of the animal, its physical condition and breed.
First of all, the animal must be provided with high-quality feed, createconditions of detention that meet all the standards of zoohygiene. The future calf must have a he althy mother. Basic Requirements:
- dry, warm (in winter) draft-free stall;
- cleanliness of the content (daily cleaning of the animal and change of bedding);
- balanced nutrition;
- daily exercise;
- timely launch.
Milking is stopped (started) two months before calving. They do this gradually, first they switch to double milking, then to single milking. Finally, they stop milking altogether. Each stage lasts at least a week. It is important to pay attention to the condition of the udder, it should not have any redness or swelling.
The diet is also changed. Reduce to 1 kg per day or exclude concentrated feed, remove juicy: silage, root crops. The optimal feed for a cow during the start-up period is high-quality hay, in summer pasture grass. Regular walks will help reduce the risk of udder swelling. In order to avoid unwanted injuries, it is better to separate the pregnant cow from the companions (if she is not alone on the farm). On average, during the dry period, a cow gains 50-70 kg. This is due to the development of the calf.
Preparing for childbirth
Immediately before calving, the birth canal of a woman in labor is treated. For this, solutions are used: 2% creolin, or 0.1% lysol, or 0.1% potassium permanganate. All dirt is washed off the animal, the udder is thoroughly washed and wiped dry.
Cow births require preparation and accommodation:
- definitely spenddisinfection (a 2% solution of creolin or sodium is suitable) of walls, floors, feeders, all inventory;
- change the bedding, lay the straw in a layer of at least 15 cm, it is better to refuse sawdust, in extreme cases, lay them under a layer of straw.
Warm water should be ready, dry clean rags. The condition of the cow is checked every hour.
Signs of approaching calving
After mating, the cow is rectalized, checking for pregnancy. Knowing the date of insemination, the approximate time of calving is calculated. Permissible fluctuations - within 8-10 days. It has been observed that if a cow is past her due date, she will have a steer. Another forecast for udder swelling: if the front lobes are poured - heifer, back - bull.
Experienced farmers notice signs of labor in a cow. By the physical condition and behavior of the animal, it can be understood that calving is coming soon:
- the udder fills with milk, different cows have different dates: in some it appears a day before calving, in others a couple of weeks (“spread out” nipples and the release of colostrum from them indicate the approach of childbirth);
- visually noticeable swelling of the vulva and transparent discharge from it;
- tail falls (it seems to fall at the base);
- cow often looks back at her belly, bellows loudly, behaves restlessly (lays down, gets up as if she can't find her place), tries to go to the corner of the corral or stall;
- the belly drops noticeably.
Usually, cows give birth at night, in the darkest time. Shepherds in the pasture need to be careful todo not miss the moment of solitude of a woman in labor somewhere in the bushes.
Hotel
Most cattle owners have been present at the birth of calves more than once. For beginners, it is important to know theoretically how to give birth to a cow, and all the possible nuances of obstetric care. One of the main conditions for the correct and timely assistance to the animal is the absence of panic in the "obstetrician" himself.
Normally, an animal is able to give birth to a cub without human intervention. The cow lies down (or stands), attempts to force the fetus to move towards the exit from the birth canal. The birth of a cow (photo in the text) with the correct head or back presentation passes without complications and quickly enough (no more than two hours). The waters break, the amniotic sac bursts, the calf is born. Mucus is removed from the baby’s nose, eyes, mouth, ears, if the umbilical cord does not break off by itself, it is pulled with a thread (necessarily disinfected) at a distance of about 10 cm from the abdomen, cut off and treated with iodine. Then they wipe it dry and let the mother lick it.
When the birth of cows is over, you need to control the separation of the placenta. He leaves in 5-6 hours. The instinct makes the woman in labor eat it, this should not be allowed, the afterbirth is taken and buried.
Premature calving
If an animal shows signs of calving before day 240, premature birth is possible. In this case, the cow gives birth to a weakened calf, with little chance of survival. Reasons:
- fall;
- a bruise in the areabelly;
- cold water (when drinking);
- poor quality fodder;
- careless rectal or vaginal examination.
A pregnant cow is given complete rest, wrapping her lower back and sacrum. Drink vodka (0.5 - 1 liter). This is if the fetus is alive. Early birth in cows can be caused by an infectious disease or fetal death.
Birthing aid
Catel, which requires human assistance, is not uncommon in pastoralism. Large complexes always have a veterinarian on duty, ready to help a woman in labor. Consider the question of how to give birth to a cow at home with assistance to the animal.
You will need it if:
- A fetus that is too large cannot pass through the birth canal. Loops of disinfected ropes (at least 1 cm in diameter) are placed on the legs of the calf, and they begin to pull a little up and towards themselves, only synchronously with the attempts. This may be enough to help a woman in labor.
- A cow has two or more calves. Gently insert a hand into the vagina, try to push the lower calf away and, first of all, help the upper calf to be born. With a large number of calves, it is better to call a veterinarian.
- Incorrect fetal presentation. There may be many options. The task is this: if the calf walks with its head, give it a position in which the legs are extended forward, and the head lies on them. In posterior presentation, both hind legs should be extended. With a transverse - the calf must be deployed in any convenient for childbirthposture (head or backward).
It is necessary to pay attention to how the cow lay down, too close the location of the pelvis to the wall of the stall will not allow the calf to leave the birth canal. After the appearance of the legs in the birth canal, the calf comes out completely in no more than 30 minutes. If there is no self-confidence, invite a specialist. Difficult labor in a cow without proper assistance can result in the death of the fetus, and sometimes the mother in labor.
After calving
After a successful release from the burden, the calf is placed under the muzzle of the mother. Licking stimulates the formation of colostrum in the cow, strengthens the bond with the baby. The calf receives a full body massage, all its internal organs begin to run at full power. In the stall, the bedding is changed, the cow is given slightly s alted warm water.
One hour after calving, the mother is milked for the first time and the baby is given milk to drink. The cow is given a talker: s alted warm water with crushed grain, based on 10 liters of 600 grams of grain. On the first day, they give a little hay (6-7 kg) or grass (up to 8 kg), preferably a little dried. On the second day, concentrated feeds are introduced, juicy ones are added for 4-5 days, and after a week they are put on a regular diet. Root crops are not given while colostrum is coming.
To prevent swelling of the udder, the cow is milked 5-6 times, gradually transferred to three times a day. For 3-4 days, you can let the family out for a walk. The stall of the animal is cleaned especially carefully, the litter is often changed. The field of childbirth in a cow may have discharge from the genitalorgans.
Last
Timely separation of the afterbirth is important for the reproductive ability of a cow. His delay may be total or partial.
Reason for delayed afterbirth:
- hypotension (weak uterine contractility);
- atonia (complete absence of contractions);
- adhesion of the uterine placenta with fetal parts;
- poor physical condition of the woman in labor (exhaustion);
- lack of exercise;
- overfeeding an animal (obesity);
- twins or heavy calving (cause general weakness of the cow).
Control over the complete release of the placenta will save the animal from troubles associated with decay (4-5 days) of the flesh inside the body.
