Calving questions

[Mike Fronczak]

I have several questions as this is our first go around with calves so far we have had two issues that were not resolved as well as I would of hoped.
We have 3 mature highland cows (between 4-6 years old), I have papers so I'm sure. All have calved highland babies in the past. The guy we bought them from had sold his entire herd off, his bull happened to go first. So he "borrowed" the neighbors black angus bull. The result is going to be what we get for calves, are the black angus calves going to be larger (typically) than a highland ? I have been careful not to grain the cows, they were grass fed from birth.
The one that appears to be furthest along her udder has swelled up to the size of a basket ball now, I'm thinking any day now ??? Any tips pointers ? Seco d one seems to be about 1-2 weeks behind her, then last is way behind as she had a steer born in August or October and was exposed after that.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

The trouble with Angus is that it can be either extreme. I really hope the Angus bull the past owner put on these girls WAS calving ease. Generally speaking Angus are supposed to be calving ease, but with the high popularity of the breed and the many different variations that comes with being so popular, there is a chance that the bull that was used on these girls was not calving ease. As I said before, I really hope this is not the case.

Udders can be really hard to go by as far as determining when a cow is going to calve. A cow can be bagged up for weeks before she even drops a calf, and she may not even bag up until the moment the calf hits the ground. Which is the one thing that I choose not to go on when determining if/when a cow or heifer's ready to pop.

What you should look for is look at the vulva on the cows to see if they're bigger, loose and floppy than they normally are, and see if there's some sort of discharge coming from them. Sticky stringy means the mucous plug has just been pushed out, and clear and not sticky means she's close to calving. The belly may also drop a bit, and the tail head may sink down as well.

But yeah, with the Angus bull, it's really hard to tell at this point unless you have the papers on this bull that the previous owner gave to you proving he is a calving-ease bull and not just a "commercial" bull used on commercial cows, or rather an "average" bull that's not suitable for purebred herds. (But what do I know, I know nothing about the bull's history. )

 

[Mike Fronczak]

Thank you for the insight & info. Didn't make me feel better but learned somthing so it's all good.

 

[redtailgal]

I *think* that you'll be ok. Since they have calved before, that will certainly be to your advantage.

Highland/angus hybrids are pretty sought after in some areas (midwesterners love them). Many folks out there will breed their highland cows to an angus bull. Most try to find a low BW bull, esp for heifers, or will not breed to an angus until the 2nd or 3rd calving. Not many of them have problems with seasoned cows delivering, even to a run of the mill but not huge bull.

Keep a watch, be ready to help, but still, I think you'll be alright.

Your cows may leak a little, may get grumpy, they may stretch and they may even get "chatty" before delivering. Try not to box them up, let them have room to walk around even while they are in labor, it helps the calf position and helps loosen up the hips and strengthen contractions.

 

[Miss Heidi]

Mike, we are in the same position you are. JoJo is all bagged up and looks like her belly has dropped and we keep thinking any day.....the other, Cali, doesn't even look like she is really bred. I have forgotten to check on this site but I will try to remember and post when ours calves.

 

[Royd Wood]

Highland cows will pop out an Angus sired calf like a block of soap and be eating hay during the process.

Good luck and pics please - trust me all will be good

 

[redtailgal]

Highland cows will pop out an Angus sired calf like a block of soap and be eating hay during the process.

Good luck and pics please - trust me all will be good

 

[Cricket]

Highland cows will pop out an Angus sired calf like a block of soap and be eating hay during the process.

Around here quite a few people used to breed their first time Jersey heifers to Angus because they were smaller than a jersey calf

 

[Mike Fronczak]

First cow gave birth at about 9 tonight, all went well. It appears we have a healthy black(at least currently while wet) calf. We all got to watch & even video tape the birth. Checked on thence couple times, calf is standing and nursing

 

[redtailgal]

Congratulations! I am happy for you (and jealous, lol). Lil shaggy babies!

am eagerly awaiting pics...... mmm.nom nom nom..........