Signs that labor is near:
About 1 week before she had her calf her vulva began to swell, her milk sac (udders) got HUGE. (This was probably her 5th calf. I have been told that first time heifers will not always show these same signs.) Along with those 2 things I noticed her "attitude" began to change. She was a grump to everyone- the other cow, the donkeys, the dogs especially. About 2-3 days before the birth her teats began to leak and there was an occasional discharge from her vulva. My vet and others all recommended that I pen her in a confined area alone as she got closer to giving birth.
Day of birth:
Honey was "mooing" smalls sounds continuously. She seemed a bit anxious. I checked on her about an hour later and I noticed that her mucus plug was hanging from her vulva. Once that happens the birth is soon to follow. I quickly changed into "farmer gear" and went to her side. First thing I saw when I got there was her water sac hanging out. (She was up standing and laying down several times during the entire birth process.)
From that point, if the calf is not breech, things go FAST. With in 5-10 minutes she had delivered her calf. The calf just kind of lays there at first, blinking. Mom gets to work licking and cleaning. This takes some time. She also eats the afterbirth....all of it. (I'll spare you those pictures, they eat it to keep predators from being drawn in).
Mommy and calf are healthy, tired, and hungry. It was a boy! Meet Rib eye!
