Lost our calf

bama-newsteader · #1 04/09/13, 07:27 AM

Judi Mae gave birth to a beautiful heifer calf last night. We had been keeping an eye on her because we knew she was close. She came up to eat last night and she didnt look quite ready. About 3 hrs later (10pm) we hear bawling coming from the pasture. We headed out there and sure enough her calf was on the ground, but the bawling sound had some gurgling noises to it. It seemed like there was fluid in the lungs. Momma had the calf about 80% cleaned off, but she wasnt constantly licking her like my other mommas have done. Anyway about 15 minutes later, the calf had blood coming out her nose and mouth. She died shortly after.
Questions:
1. Any thoughts as to what caused this? We are wondering if another cow stepped on her by accident or if it was some kind of birth defect.
2. I am now trying to milk Judi Mae. This is her first calf and she is new to the milking thing (and I'm no expert either), so she is not willing to stand too long for me. I did manage to get a quart of colostrum from her this morning. Should I try milking her 3 times a day or stick to 2?

Thanks,
Robin

Rosarybeads · #2 04/09/13, 08:34 AM

We lost our first calf too and are milking. If she is allowing you to milk her I would completely immobilize her by getting a halter or rope on her and tying her down along a fence. Use a bucket of grain to lead her to where you want. We are not only tying the head away from us milking, but we are additional tying her back legs together/to a post so she can't kick. If she only let you get a quart then she is going to learn that she is in control and not you and she will probably refuse you milking her at some point. Get a permanent halter or rope on her so you can be the one in control, and milk her completely out. I found milking into a cup and pouring THAT into the bucket prevented her from spilling the milk and it was no big deal if she kicked (this was before we tied her feet down). We were only getting 5 quarts off our 1/2 Dexter and 1/2 Mini Hereford (milking once a day... I am pregnant and homeschooling 5 and hubby works), so if yours is a Jersey that will be quite the chore milking by hand until you get used to it. It DOES get easier as your hands get stronger.

As far as the calf, I have no idea what happened there. I'm sorry you lost him, that's so sad. <hugs>

opportunity · #3 04/09/13, 11:19 AM

No Idea what happened to your calf that is not something I have had happen. I have lost 6 calves but mine are usually to the cold weather or they were two big to come out.

Awnry Abe · #4 04/09/13, 12:55 PM

I have no answers, but I just wanted to offer some encouragement. We are 4 days ahead of you on a nearly identical sounding situation (first freshener/dead calf because of hard delivery). I should have assisted after the head presented but didn't. Lesson learned. I can tell you after 4 days that each day gets noticibly easier. On day 1, we had to tie her up to a tree stump out in the pasture and milk her where she stood. On day 2 we penned her. Today was the first day that she cooperated in getting in the stanchion. Once we secure her, she is the extremely patient and still. Her bag started super tight, which makes for tough milking. It has softened each day.

Save all of the colostrum that you collect, and do your best to milk her out. Don't give up and remember that each day in the early going will be better than the one before.

Donna from Mo · #5 04/09/13, 02:17 PM

This is the best solution for a kicking cow. The heifer in this picture never kicks these days, but I started using it on her when she first freshened and decided, since I'm pushing 70 and have one artificial knee, to keep using it just for safety's sake.

bama-newsteader · #6 04/10/13, 01:51 PM

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement! So sorry that you guys lost calves too. Judi Mae has been a booger when it comes to milking, and it looks like she as edema of the udder so that has been an issue too. Last night things were bad as far as milking her goes. Today I was able to milk her twice and get about a quart each time. She is still ornery and doesnt like to be milked, but clipping 2 leads on her and tying her between fence posts has forced her to stand still somewhat. I am freezing all the colostrum I am getting so we will have some if we need it. Her teats are small so it's the 2-finger milking squeeze for me - hope to build the strength in my fingers to milk out more than a quart someday soon.
Thanks again!!
Robin

Yvonne's hubby · #7 04/10/13, 02:19 PM

It sounds to me like she may have been a breach birth. Sometimes the contractions will force fluids down the calfs throat during the birthing process in a breach situation. I had a neighbor once who had this happen, fortunately he was on the scene and grabbed up the calf and started swinging it by its hind legs in a circle. Got its throat cleared that way and had a healthy calf. You might check with your vet... they often have pretty good ideas of what went wrong.