Detecting Pregnancy

Judith · #1 09/04/09, 12:55 PM

I had a buddy ask me if there are any signs to look for to confirm a pregnant cow. I had no ideas as all of our cows are vet checked and therefore confirmed. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for this one?

francismilker · #2 09/04/09, 05:24 PM

You can send blood samples off to confirm pregnancy. The kits can be ordered online.

arcticow · #3 09/05/09, 03:20 PM

Only way I know is to bump 'em, but they have to be 5 or 6 months to do that.

Lizza · #4 09/05/09, 07:52 PM

Here is a link for the pregnancy kits:

http://www.biotracking.com/biopryn.php

Karin L · #5 09/05/09, 07:59 PM

Only way I know of is to stick your arm up a cow's anus and feel for a bulge in one of the uterine horns, or if it's later stage, for some feet and/or a head.

If you know what you're looking for or how to preg check you most likely won't even need a vet to do it for you.

ozark_jewels · #6 09/05/09, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcticow

Only way I know is to bump 'em, but they have to be 5 or 6 months to do that.

Nothing more satisfying than bump that flank and feel a calf bumping back at you.........

Judith · #7 09/06/09, 05:44 PM

He raises beef cattle

Pretty unlikely he will be able to bump em with out getting injured LOL However the visual was pretty entertaining

On the dairy the vet just preg checks all the gals who were AI'ed but I have no idea how the beef people do it. Thank you all for your answers

Woodroe · #8 09/06/09, 06:22 PM

Where do you all "bump" them at exactly? I tried that today with my jersey but did not feel anything but not sure i was doing it right. Is that behind the rib cage in front of the back legs?

Karin L · #9 09/06/09, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judith

He raises beef cattle

Pretty unlikely he will be able to bump em with out getting injured LOL However the visual was pretty entertaining

On the dairy the vet just preg checks all the gals who were AI'ed but I have no idea how the beef people do it. Thank you all for your answers

That's nothing: you just bump 'em when they're in the squeeze chute/head gate...that is, if they're not too far along to fit in the squeeze okay. It's the same thing with palpating/preg checking them.

ozark_jewels · #10 09/07/09, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodroe

Where do you all "bump" them at exactly? I tried that today with my jersey but did not feel anything but not sure i was doing it right. Is that behind the rib cage in front of the back legs?

Yes, thats the correct region, but all cows are different. Some carry high, some carry low, some carry forward, some further back. And some cows are impossible to bump a calf in unless they are just about to calve(some not even then). Also, the calf moves around so where you may not feel a calf one day, it may be there the next.
The bumping technique itself can take a little to learn. Its a gentle but firm bump and a quick partial pull-back. You are feeling for the calf to bump back at you after you pushed it away. Hard to explain. Some cows are much easier than others.

dosthouhavemilk · #11 09/14/09, 08:15 PM

http://familycow.proboards.com/index...y&thread=19611
How I bump a calf.

springvalley · #12 09/17/09, 02:19 PM

after a cow is four months or so along you can bump them in the cows side, about a foot up from the udder in the back belly area on her right side you can sometimes bump your hand into her belly and see if you can feel the calf. I love it when they get close, I have been known to get kicked by a calf while milking the cow next to a cow that is close to calvingThanks Marc,