![]() The cow will become quite restless as contractions start. It’s time to get the binoculars out if you want to watch! During Calving ![]() They can try to delay the birth if they are at all worried about their surroundings. ![]() It is really important to leave the heifer or cow well alone at this stage. Saying that, I have also seen one of our cows stay within the herd when calving. Another tell-tale sign of imminent calving is they remove themselves from the main herd, finding a quiet place where they feel safe to calve. In the few days prior to calving a clear mucus plug may appear to hang from the vulva. The ligaments supporting the tail head relax causing the tail head to become slightly raised.Ĭalving is usually 24-48 hours away at this stage. Heifers having tighter muscles it is not so clearly observed to the untrained eye. In a mature cow it is very obvious the calf has ‘dropped’. At about the 1-2 weeks prior and their abdomen will drop and become pendulous they will appear more sunken on the sides. The heifer/cow’s vulva will become soft, swollen and very floppy. ![]() A few days before calving they may even drip watery milk called colostrum, and if you feel the udder it will tight and can even be tender. In the last few days the udder will reach the point of nearly bursting – on occasions the teats will point outwards rather than pointing towards the ground. Mature cows udders will enlarge 2-3 weeks prior and in some cases it can be even less. The ligaments that have held the udder up high loosen and grow allowing the impending milk to come in. In a heifer the udder development can start as early as 3-4 months prior to calving. ‘bagging up / bag up’ or ‘udder movement’.If you are not sure of the calving date, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. Level paddocks are ideal with no significant slopes or escarpments and ideally having a tree or two for shade in the secluded birthplace is ideal, but your highland will hopefully find a safe place to give birth when the time is right. It is handy to be able to predict when your cattle are about to calve so that you can get them up close to the house about 1-2 weeks prior, where they can be monitored regularly. We strive to produce a better calf each season – improving our herd continuously, so assessing the calf as it ‘hits the ground’ ( so to speak ), plays a big role in our breeding programme. Who can’t resist fluffy little calves running around the paddock! If we are lucky enough to catch one calving we sit back and enjoy the process. Most of the time with our Highlands we will be out doing our routine headcount and we are missing an animal from the main herd, we’ll find our new mum and bub tucked away in a corner resting. Highland Cattle are known for their easy calving traits and being great mothers. If you need help to calculate when your cattle are due to calve. We don’t know everything but hopefully some of the points below will help to make your first experience an exciting time but most importantly give you pointers of when to be concerned and when to intervene. We remember well how it felt and if you’re not sure of some of the process it can be scary. Below we have listed a few points to help anyone who is experiencing a first calving.
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