We were getting a bit worried that the calf had not been born yet, the weather forecast was calling for rain, in a few days. All these warm, sunny days had been perfect for a newborn but we were going to lose that window.
But Jim came in from his morning rounds to tell me to get ready… camera, coffee, and coat! Chocolate was pacing around the pasture.
Pacing around the pasture
She moved behind the trailer, behind the truck, behind the barn. Never staying long, and not eating… early contractions? She kept lifting her tail head. More mucus discharge.
Bessie keeps a close eye on Chocolate
Bessie was following a short distance, keeping her company the whole way. The neighbors cows came over to stand by the fence, watching her carefully.
If you didn’t know, birthing time is of great interest to all the other livestock! Often they come peek around the corner to see what is happening.
Chocolate finally chose to go into the barn paddock stall. Jim closed her in so she would have a protected area to move around in.
Paddock for the delivery area
Our intern carefully spread fresh straw down so that the calf would have a “soft landing”. Two interns had just finished mucking the stall area out the day before… . perfect timing.
Our boar hog in the next pen kept watching and pacing, quite curious about what was going on.
Jim made a few phone calls to alert neighbors that the big event would actually be happening!
Jim gives some TLC to Chocolate
This Jersey birth was quite strikingly different from our lowline angus beef cows. Much longer process, 1 1/2 hr. But it makes sense. Beef cows tend to be out on rangeland, or large pastures. They are at risk for predator attacks. They don’t have the luxury of a longish labor. Those livestock would be dead and their genes NOT passed on.
Beef cows do what I call, “The Stop and Drop”!
Milk cows have been domesticated for thousands of years. In a protected environment those quick genes were not quite as critical.
Chocolate got up & down, moved around between contractions.
Chickens drop by, as Chocolate labors
She finally chose to lay down and completed her labor in that position. She would thrust her upper rear leg out as she had a contraction and slowly began to push. Nothing to see… just a contraction, a push, and then she would stop and chew her cud for a few minutes.
The important thing is to remember to stay out-of-the-way! Let nature take it’s course.
And finally, she began to push and I had the delicate job of explaining why seeing poop was a GOOD sign. That as the calf moved through the birth canal, the rectum runs above the birth canal. As the calf move through and out, it was also pushing out any stool left in the rectum… it meant we were getting very, very close.
Watching the delivery, from the barn
It was an awesome experience (we had from age 6 – 60 watching). I think birth is one of the most mesmerizing things to watch. Our barn setup is excellent because one side is open to the lower stalls. It’s for ease of taking the hay stored in the barn, and being able to toss it into the feeders, just below. Perfect viewing platform to be OUT of the way and yet see what was going on.
It’s time!
All of a sudden, more mucus, a tinge of blood, and then a bubble emerging… the bag of waters.
Bag of waters broken, finally
Under the pressure, it suddenly burst. Clear fluid and the path was lubricated for the calf.
Next contraction and we were seeing a tiny hoof peek out and then pull back.
First sight of a hoof
Over the next few contractions, we would see more of the hoof and then finally a 2nd hoof… a good sign.
Calf was in a good position (only one hoof might mean a leg twisted back that would impede the delivery).
Two hooves showing!
Beautifully, the beginnings of the muzzle appeared. Perfect position for an uncomplicated delivery.
The beginning of the calf's muzzle are showing
Another contraction and the head was through. Amazingly, the calf shook its head… long ears flopping.
Birth is complete!
Over the course of a couple of contractions the calf’s body slipped through, and suddenly he was there.
Breath held we waited, waited to see him actively take a real breath. No active movement, but watching carefully you could see his ribs rise and fall. But at first, no movement… scary.
Two of us nurses, again, having to fight the impulse to jump in, and stimulate the calf to breath, to rub it dry. Instead, having to just watch.
Is the calf OK, He's so still?
Amazingly, Chocolate immediately got up and started lick her calf… vigorously.
This flaccid little limp frame of a calf was a little scary. Was he normal? He looked like skin and bones. But the more his mother licked him, the more active he became… and the healthier he started looking!
Finally, I breathe a sigh of relief when see him lift his head, a spontaneous movement on his part. He’ll be fine.
The Calf begins to move!
Mom is quite vigorous at the licking!
His soft white hoofs were hardening up now that they were exposed to air.
At birth, they are soft & pliable. Think of fingernails after washing dishes or taking a bath. Makes sense, cause a sharp hoof could lacerate the bag of waters or the uterus or the birth canal. He did not even try to stand for the first 30 minutes, but the hoofs were quickly firming up.
Attempting to get his balance & stand
His little legs spayed out as he would try to stand… from legs slipping away from him; ok, try the back legs… same thing. But wait, rest, and try again… all the while mom is licking him so vigorously she knocks him around a bit. She’s cleaning, drying him off, getting the “birth smell” removed so he will not be a target for predators. Her instinctual behavior is amazing to watch.
Almost Up!
He finally gets a bit more control and is able to stand, taking his first wobbly steps, he actually begins to explore the world around him. Amazing curiosity.
Jim approaches the calf, carefully. The calf IS curious and wobbles over to him.
Who's that stranger???
Mom isn’t to sure. She lets out a mooooo-o-o. Jim stays very still and just holds his hand out for the calf to sniff. Mom is OK with this.
And then the calf decides to take off and explore the rest of the paddock… our visitors have moved the back area of the ground floor paddock so that they could see what was happening.
The Calf take off to explore!
The calf takes off to check these new creatures.
WHOOOPS, I’m thinking we might be in trouble with mom... but no, as long as we stay still, and the calf does the approach she is OK with this.
We had a great groups of folks who moved slowly and quietly… did not bother mom at all.
The next big step… for him is nursing. He needs to get that first milk, the colostrum, in his gut before the first 6 hrs are up.
Beginnings of the search for the Teat
But he’s got time. Born at 11:30 and exploring the world by 12. Now that is some action.
It will actually be another hour before he is able to find and latch onto the teat… again, much slower than beef calves.
Dried off and his fur fluffed up, he is so soft to touch. a gentle calm little creature. He’ll be a great addition to our farm stead. He’s turning a light golden color… Hmm, now a name?
And at the end of his first exploration… he collapses… and takes a nap.
Getting ready to Nap!
Ruminations 