Author Topic: Calving kits (Read 2808 times)

SophieYorkshire · « **on:** June 27, 2016, 11:32:44 am »

This happens every year in the sheep section, so I thought I'd ask in here.

What are your staple/must have 'calving kit' items?

twizzel · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2016, 02:06:36 pm »

Ropes/calving aid, lube, salt, rota paste, powdered colostrum, stomach tube/bag

farmers wife · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2016, 02:55:20 pm »

above plus iodine, extra long gloves, lubricant. Depending on the size of yr herd Metacam, long acting ABs, needles and syringes.

shep53 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2016, 06:11:53 pm »

Vets number

Factotum · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2016, 09:41:02 pm »

Number of your nearest friendly 'real' farmer - we've had really fast help from our neighbours when we've needed them over the years. They get here much quicker than the vet as we're fairly remote...

Other things - a large bundle of old towels to dry off a calf if it's a bit chilled, a sharp penknife to cut off the umbilical cord if it's a bit long. We didn't routinely do this until our friendly farmer lost a calf to an over-enthusiastic dam chewing at a long cord.

A supply of eartags and castration rings - you need to get them early before they can fight back!

An ability to wake up every 3 hours to check on the cows for however long it takes to finish calving, and all the other stuff previously mentioned.

Sue

twizzel · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2016, 10:34:44 pm »

Forgot- rope halter always useful if you need to tie her up, decent crush too- makes things so much safer. Heat lamp is useful to have if a calf comes in chilled.