Page 3 - CalfCare - Calving and Care of the Newborn Calf
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How can you MANAGE CALVINGS to reduce calving problems and
calf losses?
1 Calve all heifers and cows in a calving unit
Calving facilities should be clean, well-bedded and well-illuminated and have an adequate
Clean supply of clean water. They should be equipped with a self-locking restraining gate (preferably
calving pens
and housing to suitable for Caesarean Section) and should not be used to accommodate sick cattle.
minimise Individual calving boxes are preferable. Depending on the precalving movement policy, the
disease calving pattern and the residency time in the pen, at least one individual calving pen (4m
by 4m) may be required per 25 cows.
Well-managed, group-calving units (loose pens, pads, paddocks) can also provide suitable calving
accommodation. (See AHI website www.animalhealthireland.ie regarding issues on Johne's Disease and group
calving facilities.)
2 Move pregnant animals to the calving unit before calving begins
• Moving pregnant animals to the calving unit before calving begins reduces stress at calving, which can be
a particular problem in heifers.
• Inspect the animals near to calving (based on breeding/pregnancy detection records) at least twice daily,
and move them into the calving unit when you detect signs of impending calving (see below).
• If a cow is already ‘sick to calve', when first observed, it may be better to wait until she has started to calve
(waterbag or foetal hooves are visible) before moving her into the calving unit. This advice applies
particularly in the case of heifers.
Signs that calving is close: ‘Sick to calve’ signs to look for:
o softening of the pin bone o tail raised
ligaments o mucus at vulva
o swollen udder o restless - standing and lying
o dripping colostrum. frequently.
3 Observe all calvings if possible
• If cows are 'sick to calve', keep a discreet eye on them every two hours. Do not move,
disturb or unnecessarily handle cows during this period. Supervision does not imply
Observe
all calvings if intervention, as most calvings do not require assistance.
possible • Keep a particularly close eye on high-risk calvings or calvings which are likely to be
prolonged, e.g. overfat heifers, heifers in calf to a sire known to produce big calves, cows
carrying twins and cows with a history of milk fever.
• Calving cameras can be a useful aid to reduce the workload involved in 24h calving supervision and to
avoid disturbing the calving, particularly for heifers which are more sensitive to stress.
• Evening or nightime feeding can reduce, although not eliminate, the number of night calvings.
How can you MANAGE CALVINGS to reduce calving problems and
calf losses?
1 Calve all heifers and cows in a calving unit
Calving facilities should be clean, well-bedded and well-illuminated and have an adequate
Clean supply of clean water. They should be equipped with a self-locking restraining gate (preferably
calving pens
and housing to suitable for Caesarean Section) and should not be used to accommodate sick cattle.
minimise Individual calving boxes are preferable. Depending on the precalving movement policy, the
disease calving pattern and the residency time in the pen, at least one individual calving pen (4m
by 4m) may be required per 25 cows.
Well-managed, group-calving units (loose pens, pads, paddocks) can also provide suitable calving
accommodation. (See AHI website www.animalhealthireland.ie regarding issues on Johne's Disease and group
calving facilities.)
2 Move pregnant animals to the calving unit before calving begins
• Moving pregnant animals to the calving unit before calving begins reduces stress at calving, which can be
a particular problem in heifers.
• Inspect the animals near to calving (based on breeding/pregnancy detection records) at least twice daily,
and move them into the calving unit when you detect signs of impending calving (see below).
• If a cow is already ‘sick to calve', when first observed, it may be better to wait until she has started to calve
(waterbag or foetal hooves are visible) before moving her into the calving unit. This advice applies
particularly in the case of heifers.
Signs that calving is close: ‘Sick to calve’ signs to look for:
o softening of the pin bone o tail raised
ligaments o mucus at vulva
o swollen udder o restless - standing and lying
o dripping colostrum. frequently.
3 Observe all calvings if possible
• If cows are 'sick to calve', keep a discreet eye on them every two hours. Do not move,
disturb or unnecessarily handle cows during this period. Supervision does not imply
Observe
all calvings if intervention, as most calvings do not require assistance.
possible • Keep a particularly close eye on high-risk calvings or calvings which are likely to be
prolonged, e.g. overfat heifers, heifers in calf to a sire known to produce big calves, cows
carrying twins and cows with a history of milk fever.
• Calving cameras can be a useful aid to reduce the workload involved in 24h calving supervision and to
avoid disturbing the calving, particularly for heifers which are more sensitive to stress.
• Evening or nightime feeding can reduce, although not eliminate, the number of night calvings.
