What Are the Signs of a Cow Getting Ready to Calve?

Calving is an exciting event on a farm. The birth of new calves is planned carefully. Cows carry their calves anywhere from 280 to 290 days according to the farming breeding records. When the cow is ready, the calf can be born. Calving takes place in three stages.

  1. Labor

    • Just as humans go into labor before giving birth, a cow also goes into labor. This process alerts farmers that the calf or calves will be born soon. When the cow becomes restless, moves away from the other cows to be alone, and stops eating, these are signs that the cow is in the first stage of calving. This stage can last from 2 to 6 hours.

    Calving

    • In the calving stage, reports the Government of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, the water bag appears, which signals that the calf is ready to be born. During this time, the cow will strain to push the calf out. After the appearance of the water bag, the calf will be born. The actual birthing of the calf can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on whether the cow is calving for the first time.

    The Placenta

    • The final stage of calving is when the placenta is expelled. This usually occurs within 12 hours after the cow giving birth. According to the Government of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, beginning stages of involution of the cow's uterus also occur. The involution is the act of the uterus preparing itself for the next pregnancy; however, involution is not complete until approximately 40 days after calving.

    Signs The Cow Needs Help Calving

    • After the water bag appears, if the calf has not been expelled within 2 to 3 hours, it is possible that the cow needs help calving. The cow may also need help if it has been straining, there is no part of the calf visible, or any part of the calf other than the front feet can be seen or felt upon examination.