jersey heifer with bag

[Rockfish]

I have an unbred Jersey heifer about 14 months old. We plan to breed her after the heat of the summer (as I am told that it often doesn't take in the heat).

She has a small bag that definitely has fluid in it. She is on hay and a small grain supplement (cracked corn mixed with 16% dairy pellets).

Should she have a bag with fluid in it at this point? Someone told me I should back off the grain.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[springvalley]

I don`t know who told you about heifers not breeding in the heat of summer, I always breed then to have spring calves. Is the udder equal on the amount of fluid in all quarters? Unless you have her on full feed, the grain should not do that. Has she been by herself or with other cattle? >Thanks Marc

[linn]

If she is pastured with other livestock, a calf might be nursing from her.

[Cliff]

Also, jersey heifers and bulls can breed as early as 4 months old.
Any chance that might have happened?

[springvalley]

I have never had a heifer come in heat that young Cliff.>Thanks Marc

[Cliff]

We have had several Jersey heifers come in heat at 4 months.
It happened with dad's heifers too when I was a kid.
Mature bulls won't usually fool with them, but the youngsters will.

Maybe you didn't notice? Don't dairys keep their heifers separate?
We usually notice because of the interest any young bulls show in the heifers.

Dexters are the same way, they start coming into heat at 4 months.

[springvalley]

Yes I keep my heifers seperate, but I`m not a big dairy, less than 20 cows. But i do notice them in heat as they ride each other most times. But never at 4 months. >Thanks marc

[Jcran]

My daughter's 4-H heifer, now 9 months old, is currently in heat and patrolling the fenceline separating her from our boer buck. She thinks she's a goat! The poor does in the pasture with her have taken to hiding in their shelter, she's so amorous. Tomorrow afternoon she is moving to her new pasture with only a fenceline to keep her company with the goats.

[Rockfish]

Thanks for the replies ... No chance she is pregnant - no exposure to a bull. She is in a small paddock with her Mother (after they separated for 9 months or so).

[ozark_jewels]

Cows and goats can make hormonal udders after they start cycling. If there is no chance she is bred, that is probably what you are looking at.
Make sure you do not express the liquid as that can lead to mastitis.
An unbred heifer who is well grown doesn't need much grain if any, so be sure not to over grain her if she is in good condition.