Surviving Minnesota!

[Rhetts]

I don't have direct experience about this calving bit Rhetts. I've been around a few while it's happening...but timelines I don't know. Have you called a vet to run your time line of events physical symptoms by him to see how things are coming?

Here's a little link though about positioning a calf correctly if need be.

http://www.wikihow.com/Help-a-Cow-Give-Birth

Gee I'm so excited for your I'm googling all about this.

The Hereford isn't actually mine. We pasture them for BILs. I mentioned a few different scenarios last night to see if they were open to talking about calling a vet at some point. That is a no go. They said they would wait it out a couple more weeks. I brought it up again today but they are not interested yet.
I can not tell you how much time I spend reading the internet about this.

Yes...when I found the picture it said abnormal calve positioning.

The link I posted before gives directions for guiding calves in these abonormal to normal position. With that swollen back hind...I'm suspicious that little guy has been pushing back with the wrong body part.

I wonder if Rhetts has a puller bar and calf chains.

I mentioned a couple times about having a cow/calf labor and delivery box with needed items. They gave me 2 towels. So no we have no extra tools in case she is needing help. I also mentioned going in to feel which way the calf is presenting but they don't want to do that either. I agree that swelling seems rather large based on what I can find on the internet.

That is very possible.

Us internet vets are worry warts..( read "us" as me.) It is easy to be an expert from afar when you have no vested interest. My thought are with Rhett and her cow on this whole ordeal.

Thanks. I wish you could be here. I am totally an expert just based on hours spent reading up on this.

I am a total worry wart!!! Nervous Nelly for sure!!

@Rhetts , you need to set up a calf cam!

Actually we do have one set up. I am not brave enough to go out into the pasture alone (the highland horns make me very nervous and they are cantankerous old hags) I am home alone a lot of the time and so wasn't able to physically check the girls all the time because the shed they are in is in the pasture. We set up a baby monitor for me to hear them and then one of the techy BILs put up his camera in the shed. Those last two pictures I put up of her are actually from the cow cam. So I am on cow duty 24-7 and the BILs come over a 2-3 times a day to scoop poop, water and physically check them. I see the girls day and night over the the camera.




I feel somewhat responsible for her and would feel horrible if something happened to her but at the same time she doesn't belong to me so my hands are tied. DH said it the best before we got the camera installed he was getting up 2 sometimes 3 times a night to check on her. We were getting exhausted because it was setting the alarm getting dressed to go out and then try to get back to sleep. It was those really cold weeks with below 0 temps. He said we are the ones putting ourselves out there running ourselves ragged and the people who actually OWN the cows are getting a good nights sleep. We talked and then came the monitors soon after. But I feel like I take this more seriously then they do and would feel horribly responsible if she didn't make it. Thank you every one for walking me through this and being here for me to talk to and share. I really appreciate you being here. I hope I can repay you all with pictures of a healthy calf and momma!!

 

[memphis]

It is beautiful....but it would make most of us down here curl up and die! I grew up in St. Louis and do miss a nice snow.

Ivie....borrow one of Ralph's lappers! There is a guy over on the Turkey Thread who lets his come in for TV time each night.....

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Oooooohhhh ok Rhetts. LOL. Totally confused that it was BIL's cow and not one of your girls.
Thanks for straightening us out. Hahaha.

Well anyways I'm sure you are looking up stuff and what not...It is hard I'm sure even though not your cow as well.
Your an awesome SIL I'm guessing! Lucky in laws to have you.

Fingers crossed nonetheless for that Momma.

Thanks all for the nice compliments on the photos. Memphis...you would totally be out there playing in the snow...I have a feeling.

Edited to add that about 15 minutes after I took those photos the snow has stopped and the sun is out!!!

 

[MinnesotaNice]

Actually we do have one set up. I am not brave enough to go out into the pasture alone (the highland horns make me very nervous and they are cantankerous old hags) I am home alone a lot of the time and so wasn't able to physically check the girls all the time because the shed they are in is in the pasture. We set up a baby monitor for me to hear them and then one of the techy BILs put up his camera in the shed. Those last two pictures I put up of her are actually from the cow cam. So I am on cow duty 24-7 and the BILs come over a 2-3 times a day to scoop poop, water and physically check them. I see the girls day and night over the the camera.

Now you just need to stream it, so we can all grab some popcorn and watch.


@Bogtown Chick , great pictures!

 

[Rhetts]

I should clarify as my last post sounded rather negative towards my BILs whom I love dearly btw. This is new territory for all of us and we really are learning as we go. I have no problems having the cows here and doing the chores or I would never have offered in the first place. We just need more experience and time and will get more comfortable with cows and calves coming. This is a first for all of us.

As time goes on and on with no calf I am getting a little more anxious and I come here to vent. I spend too much time watching the cow camera sometimes and get a little excited when I think I see something happening and it is just her pooing.

I am wondering if this is what an expectant father feels like waiting, waiting, waiting, and then over reacting.

 

[lvie]

Yep she is a sable.. She is 7, no teeth, bad joints, liver problems and a momma' girl .. Besides my son she is the thing I love most in this life...

Wait - didn't you just get married? LOL. Teasing. I had a cream pom / spitz mix once. He lived to be 15. My sister bred them and this one picked me when I was visiting with my sister one day. He was my baby.

 

[Rhetts]

Now you just need to stream it, so we can all grab some popcorn and watch.


@Bogtown Chick , great pictures!

I would have no idea how that works. It took 3 days to get it up and running. And my part helping install it was making food for them to eat.

 

[lvie]

And guess whos B-day it is today??!! Mine! January 26th 2001 my grandpa had to quit fishing early to come see his first grandson...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! And many, many, many more Holm.

 

[lvie]

Snow falling on my Lunch time check on the coop. It really is turning into a beautiful winter out there. Love our Minnesota Seasons.




Somebody is waiting for me!!!! Miss Holly and Roger behind her





Beautiful 6 pointed crystal water.



The Gang Very busy now with their scratch and spinach.



She beat me back to the house on top of the hill. This is her game .....


Pouncer-Cat. Ping-Pong Ball. PITA....you decide.

Snow falling on my Lunch time check on the coop. It really is turning into a beautiful winter out there. Love our Minnesota Seasons.




Somebody is waiting for me!!!! Miss Holly and Roger behind her





Beautiful 6 pointed crystal water.



The Gang Very busy now with their scratch and spinach.



She beat me back to the house on top of the hill. This is her game .....


Pouncer-Cat. Ping-Pong Ball. PITA....you decide.

Love, love, love that coop! How many chicks do you have?

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Thank you so much Ivie. I have 8 in there right now. It's a nice number for winter and such. But by it's dimensions it will hold 10.5 birds. LOL. Trust me I've fudged on the half of bird or so. Had about 11 or 12 in there....

.... Ok.....some were bantams. People.

But I do like how the coop turned out. I have windows on 3 walls and I struggle with roosting bars in there and keeping the sh-- I mean poop off of stuff.