Instructions
Wash your hands and the cow's vulva and anus, as well as the area in between, with soap and warm water.
Check to make sure the cow's cervix is fully dilated. If it is not, dilate the cervix using your hands and forearms.
Attach chains to both front legs of the calf. Loop the chains around the thin part of the calf's legs above the fetlock joint. Make a half hitch and then tighten above the feet. Chains should go over the top of the toes to keep the sharp part of the calf's foot from making contact with the cow's vaginal walls.
Apply traction to one leg at a time, starting with the left leg, to walk the shoulders through the pelvis of the cow. This is best done by two people, one working each chain.
Hold left leg in place after you have the left shoulder through the pelvis. Apply traction to the right leg until you get the right shoulder clear of the birth canal.
Take a break to allow the calf to breathe. Constant pulling on the calf prevents him from catching him breath.
Rotate the calf ninety degrees if it does not seem to be breathing. If it is an oversized fetus, it might need to be rotated to bring the widest part of the of the calf's pelvis through the cow's pelvis. Accomplish this rotation by crossing the calf's front legs. The easiest way to do this is to trade chains with the other person pulling the calf.
Deliver by forced extraction if possible after both shoulders are clear of the pelvis. This is accomplished with both people pulling on their chains at the same time. If you cannot get the calf clear of the pelvis with bi-lateral traction, a c-section might be necessary.
How to Pull a Calf
It is not uncommon for a cow to encounter problems during the calving process. There are times that it may be necessary for you to pull the calf to ensure it is delivered alive. Before pulling a calf, it is important to determine that the calf is in the correct position. Calf must have forefeet first, head resting on legs, and eyes level with knees.