Babies and Mother Nature Wait for No One

Reader Contribution by Sherry Leverich Tucker
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Farm babies are a treasure not to be taken for granted. These tender but tough, fragile yet rugged new babies don’t always come easy. Truth be told, these sweeties are the highlight of the farm year – at least on the livestock end of it. I try to be aware of cows or other animals coming close to their time and then pay extra attention.

When’s the Baby Comin’?

There are several signs you can be on the lookout for with cows. Their udders will start to swell. Some cows may do this a couple of weeks before calving and older cows may only “bag up” a day or two before. Her hind end will get really loose and swell, and may start to secrete mucus. When she is ready to calve, she will usually step away from the herd and find a private place. Heifers (first time calvers) will not always follow this pattern, and usually have to be watched more closely in case of birthing trouble.

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