How to Tell How Far Along My Pregnant Cow Is
The gestation period of a cow is 283 days, according to cattletoday.com. This is about 9 1/2 months. This is an average for all cattle. Young cows and small breeds can calve as much as two weeks earlier, while older cows and larger breeds can be up to two weeks later. There are some other methods to determine how far along the pregnancy is.
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Instructions
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Check the cow's records. If the cow was tested for pregnancy, it may be useful in establishing when the animal was bred and when calving can be expected. Pregnancy testing is usually done by palpation of the uterus with a hand inserted through the rectum of the cow. Detection of a fetus is possible 35 days after breeding. If the date of a positive pregnancy test is known, the breeding can be assumed to be at least 35 days prior. The end of the likely calving period would be 283 days after that date.
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Palpate the cow to gauge the fetus development. According to the Western Beef Resource Committee, the growth in the fetus can be detected. At 90 days into gestation, the calf is 5 to 6 inches in length. At 120 days, the fetus would feel similar in size to a small cat. At 180 days, the fetus would feel similar in size to a small dog. Rectal palpation of the cow should be done only by a veterinarian or a trained veterinary technician.
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Monitor the cow. She will show signs of the impending birth starting about two weeks before calving. This process is known as "springing." The signs include the filling of the udder and a mucous discharge from the cow's vagina. The cow may refuse to eat in the last 12 to 24 hours before giving birth.
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Tips & Warnings
The best way to monitor the pregnancy of a cow is to know when the animal is exposed to the bull. Any other method of determining the stage of pregnancy is based on observations and is less precise.
Knowing the likely due date allows the stockman to monitor the animal and be in position to assist in the birth when necessary. This improves the chances of a successful calving.
References
- Photo Credit calf image by max from Fotolia.com
