I have two longhorn heifers due in the spring. I'd like to start putting together a birthing kit in case there are any problems. Also, if intervention is required, is it realistic that one person can handle it in most cases? I can at least get the vet on the phone if I had to.

In many cases 1 person can handle it, it just depends on the problem and if you have what you need in the way of supplies and facilities. other situations 2 people is even better. It doesn't always have to be an adult, sometimes an extra set of hands is especially helpful.

I had 1 situation where I could not get the cow up and into the working pen, fortunately she was laying down in a grove of cedar trees and I was able to use the trees.......I wrapped the rope around a tree below where she was in order to get the leverage I needed to finish pulling the calf out (a downward pull).

To have on-hand .... OB gloves, lubricant (KY Jelly),OB chains or good rounded nylon rope,towels,a tube or 2 of CPMK (just in case of 'milk fever'). Those are the main things that come to my mind, that I have needed and used.

LongHorns have a decent reputation of being easy calvers. With any luck you won't have any problems with them. But I do agree, its always best to be prepared.

normal birth with longhorns no assistance needed , they are easy calving cows.

First of all, a way to contain the brute for your safety. Can they be tied?

Minimum a set of chains and two pull handles. Knowledge or a knowledgeable neighbor. Then the vet.

Iodine for the navel.

I've got a decent working pen set up. Tying up shouldn't be a big issue. The vet is spread thin, but would most likely be able to talk me thru on the phone. They may be bred to a Brahma bull, so I got wondering about calf size. But the cattlemen I bought them from have been using that combination with success for years so I suppose I'm worried for nothing. Clean up bull I have with us is an LH. Nice young grandson of Sittin Bull. He should throw an appropriate-sized calf. I'm debating buying him down the road. It's a good arrangement for the moment - I can watch him mature and see if he's a good herd site candidate.

If I have to use OB chains, are they simply wrapped around the calf? I'm assuming a should dose for milk fever regardless of ease of delivery? At least I've given birth to 2 children, so it's not an entirely foreign process in some ways, lol

First of all, What kind of a bull are they bred to? If it's a longhorn, you should be ok, But if's a Simmental, Limousin or Charolais or any other large calving bulls you may want to roll up your sleeves and get ready.
To pull the calf, secure cow's the head, next what is the problem ? Is it a turned back head, a folded leg, a backwards presentation or normal, but just too tight. Use plenty lube and pull downward towards the feet using a sea saw pulling motion to pull the shoulders thru the pelvic bone one at a time.

Never ever pull a calf straight out or you risk a broken pelvic on the cow and if that happens, you have just lost the cow because she will never walk again.
A set of chains & handles and OB lube is a good start on the calving kit.
Good luck,
Bill

When you first see the feet coming out if the soul of the calves feet are on the bottom side toward the cows feet check for the nose it will be coming head first. Once the head is out. Sometime a little pull for the front shoulders and then again for the back hips. Should the soul of the feet be up toward the tail of cow than it is coming backward. It will needed to be pulled out fairly quick. Been delivering calves to over 55 years. If the front feet at not even pull on the one that is not out as far sometimes they will hang up in the pelvis.

if you do have to pull the calf use a double wrap on the feet and get the chain high enough. Look in books or on line or ask vet how to do this. May save a broken foot. Pull slow and steady when cow pushes.

Bred to what you said they should poop them right out, if the calf is presented wrong you will need help from an experienced person. A calf is worth too much to read a little advice here and try to learn on your own. The learning curve is steep especially alone.

Catherine-----no, I would not automatically dose for Milk Fever unless they present with it. If they are down, head turned back, unable to rise, not alert.

Sometimes they will be laying down post-calving....that's just normal resting for after giving birth and no need to treat for milk fever.

I also would add a tube feeder and a calf size balling gun plus some of those electrolyte mix packets to your list. I would also keep a good size stack of bath towels in case you need to dry off a chilled newborn. A hair dryer has come in handy for me a few times too !

I have longhorns and don't have trouble when bred to a longhorn. When they are born they look like a wet rug. I think they could be born sideways.If you feed grain could be different situation. Mine have free choice hay and grass with mineral.

There is a right and wrong way to wrap chains. Look it up or maybe have your Vet show you. We used to have brahma crossbreds, love the vigor!

I like rope better than chains.

Will definitely talk to vet in the next few weeks and get emergency plans in place in case intervention is required. Might not hurt to have them rechecked to get a better estimate on the time frame for the big event. The pasture at my place is in need of help, so I spend a bit extra on hay. They're on good quality orchard grass, with free choice protein/mineral tub and a tiny bit of grain. Second or third calf for both.

Cheri - you should see these bulls! Beautiful boys, and very even tempered. I guess these will be Bronghorn?