How to tell when a Cow is Calving…

How do you tell when a cow is calving OR maybe I should say in labor?
This was always kind a of game or contest, between my Father-in-Law and my Farmer. Guessing which cow was going to calve next. Maybe I should clarify, it’s not really a game because it is important. When we know that a cow is in labor, we pay close attention to make sure she calves within a certain amount of time. If she goes to long, that means there could be a problem and she may need help.

My father-in-law was really good at it, or so I thought. He could always guess the cow that would calve next. My Farmer says he was just good at BS. A cow would calve and he would say “I knew last night she was gonna calve”. I always believed him.

Now the game is between me and my Farmer. Well, mostly me. My Farmer will be like……”she’s starting” (in labor). And I’m like…”Really?! Do you think?” Usually, he is right. I will see one that is suspicious and announce “she is starting!” I’m usually wrong. Most of the time, I keep it to myself, for good reason. The last one I pointed out did calve………6 days later. So I’m learning. My timing is just a little off.

Learning what signs to look for in a cow when she is close to calving is hard. For me at least. After this long of having cattle, you would think I would have it figured out by now.  Nope. I guess I am a work in progress.  My Farmer has explained to me what to look for in a cow. A couple of the things I can spot, a couple things I really can’t.

Here are the main signs my Farmer tells me to look for when looking at the cow in question.

• Her bag is full.  Easy Peasy!! This one I can spot. However, not all bags are the same. Sometimes a cow’s bag will look full weeks before she calves. Sometimes, especially heifers, their milk won’t come in until after they calve. So not always easy peasy.
• She is “springing”.  This one I am getting better at spotting.  What to look for: A loose back end. When she is walking around, and the area where the calf comes out is flapping around like a bowl of jello (soft set), she is springin‘. Maybe. Once again, some cows “spring” for days! In my opinion.
• Her tail sinks.  This sign, I totally don’t get.  My Farmer tells me her back end drops, somewhere by the tail. I get so confused with this. What part by the tail? I’m working on it though. Some day, I may just break down and google it.
• Her disposition changes. This sign I can spot. They seem to get a bit agitated when they are in labor.  It’s easiest to spot if a dog is around. If the cow tries to take the dog, she is close to calving. Usually. Sometimes the cow just goes after the dog because the dog pissed her off. Sometimes you can also spot this sign as soon as you enter the field. The cow in labor will lift her head, even if she is 1/2 mile away, and never take her eyes off you the whole time. I’ve got this sign down.
• Watch her tail. This is one I can also spot. However, I kind of relate it to false labor pains. My Farmer tells me that when a cow is in labor she will swish her tail back and forth. She will also hold it up. Well…..a cow also swishes her tail when an insect is bothering her or maybe when she has an itch. She also holds her tail up when she is peeing or pooping. I have learned not to get to excited when I see a cow with her tail up. You have to watch it for a long time. If it stays up for a long time and no other bodily fluids come out, unless her water broke, then you should pay attention. I have noticed that when they hold their tails up when calving, there seems to be a unique “kink” in it. That I can not describe. Just take my word for it.

There is one more way of telling when a cow is calving, and it’s usually the only time I get the guessing game right.

• Something is actually hanging out. That I can spot!! I’ve even learned to look close and see if the calf is coming out the right way. If the hooves are not pointed right, then it’s to the corral the cow must go because the calf is going to need help coming into this world.

There you have it. How do tell when a cow is calving. No, I did not use the “correct” terminology. If you want the correct, scientific terms, you can google it. I am a simple person, I talk with simple words, and I write my blog posts with simple terms. That’s how I roll.

Now you know what to look for in a cow to see if she is calving. Maybe. At least according to what my Farmer has taught me. It’s really kind of fun to try and guess. I think last year I got 1 right…..before the obvious…sign #6. I’m zero for this year.

My Farmer is gone for the day, so I’m on cow watch duty. I best get my boots on and go ride through the cows. I will be running each of these signs through my head as I ride though them looking at their bags and their tails. I don’t have the dog, he went with my Farmer, so I will have to be the test subject to see if they are agitated. Don’t worry, I will stay safe in my razor.

Thanks for stopping by and learning what we watch for to see if a cow is calving. I am still here, hanging in during this social distancing thing and calving season, cheering every inch of snow on as it’s melting away, and absolutely…….Livin’ the Life, the Farm Life that is. Stay safe and healthy!!

I am including my first video here! It’s not professional by all means! If it doesn’t make you sick while watching it, you will be able so see this calf be born. There is even music, produced by the ever present local resident geese. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it works. The video I mean. 🙂