The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: 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? :cow: :cow:
-
Ropes/calving aid, lube, salt, rota paste, powdered colostrum, stomach tube/bag :thumbsup:
-
above plus iodine, extra long gloves, lubricant. Depending on the size of yr herd Metacam, long acting ABs, needles and syringes.
-
Vets number
-
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
-
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.