EIARResearch Knowledge bankDigitizing agricultural Research Service

Handle the calf carefully immediately after it is born.

• Clean the mucus from the nose and mouth of the calf with your finger.
• Check the calf’s heartbeat.
• If the calf is not breathing hold by the hind legs and swing it to and fro gently or pour water over the calf’s nostril, to make it sneeze.
• Keep the calf’s head lower than its hindquarters.
• Allow the cow to lick the calf as soon as possible.
• If the cow refuses to lick the calf, rub the calf with hay, straw or sacking