Gestation of Dexters

[prairiegirl]

For all of you experienced Dexter owners, I have a question.

I've been reading about cows, pregnancy and calving in general. I've read that some say their Dexters give birth an average of 10 days earlier than other breeds. In giving this some thought I'm thinking maybe it's due to their small size.
Dexter owners, have you found this to be true? We are expecting the first of 5 calves to be born late March. Already have a short-legged showing signs. She's been waddling for about 2 weeks. Poor thing.

Thanks

prairiegirl

[Jcran]

I wish I knew~! Vet just out two days ago, and our wonderful Dexter DID lose her calf-we think it was the terrible case of acidosis I gave her (too much bread) early in her pregnancy. We are debating whether or not to rebreed her or just find her another home, as we inherited a horse from a dear friend who died, shortly after getting the Dexter and our property is now overwhelmed and its not good for anyone. Anyone in Northern California who is interested can PM me. It would have to be one heck of a wonderful home for her.

[copperhead46]

I don't think they calf any earlier that any other cow, it's just that the short legs don't have much room in there, so they look huge, early on. Someone like Genebo can probably tell if there is a difference, but so far all mine come in right on time, just like the big girls.
P.J.

[genebo]

Mine are kept in with the bull full time, so it's hard to tell just how long they are pregnant. What I can tell is how far it is between births. I had one cow give birth at 9 months to the day after her last calf. Then she went 10 months, 12 months and 10 months again. I told the lady next door about the cow having her new calf just 9 months later and she said, "That ----!"

Most of mine calve 12 months apart.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[Timberline]

Mine average 281 days, but it's not unusual for them to deliver a few days either way. Mine tend to deliver heifers a few days early and bulls a few days late.

[prairiegirl]

Well, just as I thought. Each cow is different, but they all seem to be pregnant within the same range of days.

genebo, we run ours with the bull, too. He came here last June. So, far it's working well.
Have you ever had any problems doing this?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

prairiegirl

[georgiarebel]

I find the more I watch and wait the longer it takes. Our first one took forever, now they sneek up on me.

One of ours had one last Feb 17th and she just calved again Feb 9th