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Parturition: (giving birth)

The usual birthing presentation for cows, deer, goat & sheep:

For cows, deer sheep & goats the "diving position" with front feet (hooves facing
downwards) and the head resting on the legs is usual.
Preparation for birthing starts during conception.
It is not wise to use 'Goliath' sized sire over 'a Thumbelina' sized dam. A large foetus can lead to all sorts of birthing problems.

Timing of the date of birth:

Animals should be able to give birth when there is an abundance of quality pasture for mother to eat.
She needs a generous amounts of feed to manufacture milk for her newborn, and to regain any lost condition.
Cows in particular need some "condition" so oestrus can recommence.
When the young are weaned pasture becomes their total diet. Plenty of quality pasture needs to be available for them.
Cows should have reached a good body condition a month prior to the calving date.
Early spring calving cows then have their diet reduced to a "maintenance" diet. This reduces the possibility of metabolic complications. Usually clover supplies magnesium, but as pasture growth slows when ground temperatures drop, magnesium can be added to their diet.
Magnesium is either sprinkled over their ration of pasture, or given in a solution (usually with molasses) over their ration of hay.

The "Birth Canal":

During the 1st stage of labour: The cervix begins to open (widen). The foetus then
gets itself into the birthing position. ie a diving position, by bringing it’s legs up, and it positions it’s head so the nose is closest to the cervix.
The uterus is very generously muscled.
During labour / delivery these strong muscles work to push the newborn up and in the direction of the cervix.
The shape of the foetus helps in a normal delivery.
Fluid, often referred to as "Birthing Fluid", ensures the foetus slides more easily through the birth canal. The muscles of the uterus push the foetus upwards. As the legs are narrow, and outstretched they enter the cervix.
The head which is much wider than the legs, rests on the legs. The nose first, the nose being the narrower part of the head, widens the cervix allowing the the rest of the head to pass through. The shoulders are the widest part of the newborn.
When the shoulders are through the vagina, for an animal standing the weight of the newborn, and the "birthing fluid" allow the newborn to move further through the birth canal. In the photo: The cow is standing, and this calf is about to "hit the ground". Some animals lie on their side through parts, or all of the parturition process. The uterine muscles can cope with doing all the "pushing out".

Before calving, lambing, kidding or fawning begins.

At this stage you can check for pregnancy by "ballotment".. By pushing against her "bulge" (ie over her uterus), you may notice that the fetus will move, and then return. You may happen to notice foetal movements just by observing.
In-calf cows may stay resting if you enter their paddock, especially if it is a sunny day. Any other time of the year they'll get up, stretch, and start eating.

Have a notebook with the mothers ID number (or name), and her expected birthing date written down. When she has given birth write the date, the sex, and the newborns identification number beside her name or number.

Have a container of iodine spray handy. (It's much easier if you use "spray on" iodine solution. An iodine solution especially for newborns navels should be available from your local farmer's supplies store.)The iodine is to spray the newborns navel area. You can spray the area generously. The iodine helps minimize the likelihood of the newborn picking up "bugs" which cause an infection in it's navel. An infection in this area can spread rapidly to other parts of it's body.

For those who have synchronized all their 1st calving heifers, there is merit in dividing the group so they don't all calve in the same paddock. This is to avoid confusion, as to which calf belongs to which mother. They wont all calve on the due date.

Have your fingernails well trimmed, and keep them well scrubbed. This is in case you need to help with birthing.

Have a lambing "lubricant", or similar on hand. This is a solution which when applied to hands and arms gives a very clean, and slippery surface should you need to do an internal examination.

Source
www.2farm.co.nz

Parturition - giving birth

15 Oct 08

Parturition: (giving birth)

The usual birthing presentation for cows, deer, goat & sheep:

Timing of the date of birth:

The "Birth Canal":

Before calving, lambing, kidding or fawning begins.