what do I need to know...jersey calving?

darbyfamily · #1 05/14/08, 06:20 PM

We're getting a Jersey on Saturday and she is very close to calving. What do I need to know about being ready for a calf? Do Jerseys typically have trouble calving? Do I need to be out there with her to watch for trouble? What should I have on hand?

WOOOHOOO... we're gonna have lots of jersey milk soon!

vquinn2 · #2 05/14/08, 08:21 PM

Congrats on your expecting jersey!! They have a reputation for easy calving. Usually you can watch from a safe distance and see the miracle of birth! Keep us posted!
Valerie

dosthouhavemilk · #3 05/15/08, 08:59 AM

Jerseys are notorious for ease of calving. Their pelvics differ from most other breeds.
If you manage to be their for the birth, you can check presentation if it will ease your worry. You want to feel two front hooves and a nose over top of them. The calf should present in a diving position. The hooves will be facing down. If the back hooves are presenting the hooves will be facing up and you will need to assist when the calf reaches the point where it's umbilical cord will break. Once that cord the break, the calf starts to breath. Obviously we want that calf out as soon as possible at that point. You can pull down towards the ground while she is contracting.
The likelihood you catch the birth is slim though...lol
Depending on her age, her health, and her production you should read up on milk fever and have a vet number ready.
We treat our own cases using the http://tinyurl.com/5y3yvv. We have used this method for over 25+ years now.
Usually cows 3-8 years old are the most high risk, but they can get milk fever at pretty much any age and stage of lactation, but the first 48 hours post calving are the most likely.

darbyfamily · #4 05/15/08, 09:10 AM

Thanks Roseanna

She is a first calf heifer, so I think, if I've read right at KFC, she shouldnt have a problem with milk fever this time... and I should have calcium tubes here?

I'll check out the link you posted.

Oh and I asked them last night on the phone more about when she was due, and he said "soon" mean, within the month.. not like next week or anything.

So I have a bit of time to do some reading up on what works for milk fever and mastitis and such.

Happy7Farm · #5 05/15/08, 11:57 AM

One of our Jerseys gave us a beaut of a calf a week ago, it was our first and her 2nd. We were front row center, she did it all by herself with out a lick of help from us. We just sat and watched her deliver it, tend to it, even got to set it stand, and when we went over to her she just gave us a sweet low mooo as if she was saying "Ain't she puurty"!!

We were nervous we wouldn't know when it was close but the signs were pretty obvious. Physically look for the question mark tail position, big utter & bumped out back, when we saw all of the is was within days. The day she went into labor she was doing alot of up & down, pacing, turning, layng down then standing up. Right at the get go of labor she started chomping on the grass, almost as if it was a diversion of sorts.

Our Amish neighbor told us that you can avoid milk fever by not milking her out right at first. Work up to that, each day take a little more till about the 7th milking then after that go ahead and milk her out. We followed his instructions and Molly is fit as a fiddle.

Hope yours comes soon & that you get the same bird's eye view, then you will be swimming in milk too!!!

translplant · #6 05/15/08, 03:07 PM

Okay, so you have the Jersey coming. I'm getting all caught up here. Phew.

Look for her "bagging up", "stringing", "boning up" and "getting loose on her backside". (Four phrases I never thought I would throw around with such ease prior to owning cattle!) All good indicators that she's getting close. As far as what to have on hand: a few towels in case you need to grab a hoof to pull is good (I would say a set of chains but without a headgate and not having experience using them they can do more harm than good). Other than that keep track of when the bag of waters appears and breaks. Our vet says to let her go an hour after that and then call him if the calf is not out. We keep the vet's number and a few neighbor's cell phone numbers on hand too. We have never had the vet have to come yet. (touch wood, spit three times)

darbyfamily · #7 05/15/08, 03:12 PM

I know what you're saying... ROFL... I never thought I'd "chart" my cows fertility signs (SIGH)

DownHome · #8 05/16/08, 05:09 PM

I just seen this thread and I am sooo jealous. I'm going to have to live vicariously through you. Keep us posted.

What are you going to do with the calf?

translplant · #9 05/17/08, 09:45 AM

I have a whole series of photos of two cows in labor that I can post if you're interested. They're pretty graphic so let me know if you really want to see them.

6ncounting · #10 05/17/08, 01:00 PM

I want pics, do I get a vote?

translplant · #11 05/18/08, 12:16 PM

sure, why not?

I'll post them on another thread.

Valmai · #12 05/20/08, 08:34 AM

Oh, one thing... dont panic if/when your cow doesnt get up for about 10 minutes after the birth. It is hard work and a lot of them (in my experience) realise that once the little tyke is up they wont get any rest for a couple of months.