Question: I observed a cow eating the afterbirth after calving. Is this normal?
Answer: The afterbirth (also called the placenta) is the organ that develops during pregnancy to nourish the foetus through the umbilical cord and is expelled after birth. It’s not uncommon for cows and heifers to eat the afterbirth after calving.
Several theories explain this might happen:
- The cow is hungry and eats 30% more during peak pregnancy, so the afterbirth might look appealing as it contains nutrients and is especially rich in proteins. The birthing process can be stressful, and eating the afterbirth may have a calming effect on the cow.
- Eating the afterbirth is a natural instinct.
- The cow is defending herself and the calf against predators. The newborn calf is weak and attractive prey, and eating afterbirth eliminates the possibility of it attracting predators through smell.
- This behaviour strengthens the bond with the calf.
- The eating of the afterbirth is known as placentophagia.
The afterbirth usually comes out within minutes or a few hours after a normal birth and isn’t typically in contact with the calf. The calf is generally covered in amniotic fluid, and the afterbirth is separate. Most cows will pay attention to the calf while eating the afterbirth. Some cows, however, initially ignore the calf to eat the afterbirth. If the supervisor removes the afterbirth, she will return her attention to the calf.
If the afterbirth doesn’t come out soon after birth, it is referred to as “a retention of the afterbirth” or “retained placenta”. Such an afterbirth usually smells bad and won’t be eaten by the cow. An afterbirth can take up to between 12 and 14 days to come out naturally. Check the cow’s temperature regularly. If it increases, there is likely an infection. Don’t try to remove the afterbirth. Uterine caruncles can be damaged, and new conception may take longer.
Retention is usually caused by an underlying problem, such as difficult calving (dystocia) and milk fever. Infections like leptospirosis and BVD may also cause a retained afterbirth to prevent premature calving. Deficiencies in vitamins (A and E) and minerals (selenium) can also contribute to retained afterbirth.
A retained afterbirth that takes a long to come out may be rotten and should be buried as soon as possible.
Contact your veterinarian to treat the cow and determine possible causes. Although there’s no tangible evidence about why a cow eats the afterbirth, no negative reasons have been found. More research needs to be done.
*Written by: Dr Faffa Malan, veterinary consultant. Email: dokfaffa@gmail.com
Sources:
Prof. Dietmar Holm – personal communication
Should a Cow Eat the Afterbirth? Farmhouse Guide (Google 23 May 2024)
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