is my heifer bred?

Trisha in WA · #1 12/12/10, 01:57 PM

My Jersey heifer should be 4 months bred (she will be 2 years old in Feb). 2 days ago she had a small amount of discharge...mostly just that cloudy color with a little tinge of blood. Yesterday was a smaller amount of just cloudy discharge. Today more cloudy discharge and our steer is trying to mount her. She did stand for him once, but then she moved off and wouldn't really let him. Before we let the steer out, the heifer tried to mount our cow!
So this all seems like heat behavior to me, but I have never had a bred heifer before (only cows after their first calf). So, is this normal bred heifer hormones going crazy or did she absorb the fetus/miscary or is it possible she never actually conceived in the first place (no signs of heat until this week)?
Thanks for any help.
Oh btw, I do plan to get a bio tracking kit and send that off no matter what to be certain, but I would like to hear what the more experienced folks have to say.
Trisha

Chixarecute · #2 12/12/10, 07:45 PM

Sounds like heat.

Trisha in WA · #3 12/12/10, 08:40 PM

To me too. I was just sort of hoping someone would chime in and say "that's normal for a heifer".
I'll be ordering the BioTracking kit tomorrow. So it will be a little while before I know for sure.

oldtimer · #4 12/12/10, 10:23 PM

Q. “is my heifer bred?”
No. From what you have described she is just going out of her heat cycle.
As for why she is not bred, well, it could be any number of things.

OT

Tad · #5 12/13/10, 02:09 PM

They told us a lot of cows will go through a hormone thing even if bred, mucus at heat is usually clear not cloudy. Don't go crazy over it but it would be a good idea to get her preg checked, also watch her in 21 days.

Trisha in WA · #6 12/13/10, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tad

They told us a lot of cows will go through a hormone thing even if bred, mucus at heat is usually clear not cloudy. Don't go crazy over it but it would be a good idea to get her preg checked, also watch her in 21 days.

Thank you Tad. It was only the slightest bit cloudy, but what you are saying about the hormones is what I was sort of thinking....and really hoping.
I ordered the BioTracking kit today, so I should be able to get that done and results back by the end of next week.
I have had several calves born here, but always from experienced cows, never with a heifer. It is my understanding that heifers have their own little differences.
Thanks again.
Trisha

matt_man · #7 12/13/10, 07:28 PM

If you see bloody discharge in the next day or two she is open. I think from what you described she is open anyway but the bloody discharge is proof that she ovulated.

Skip · #8 12/13/10, 10:04 PM

Trisha please follow up with details how the biotracking works for you. Ease of use, packaging for mailing, costs, how speedy the results are, anything, ... Thanks. A total newbie.

Trisha in WA · #9 12/14/10, 12:32 PM

Well Skip, I can tell you that they were very helpful on the phone. Very nice. The smallest "kit" they sell was 15.50 for 11 blood vials and 13 needles. One of the reasons I called them was because I didn't find any info on their website about shipping prices. Well, that's because shipping is included in the 15.50! OH Kay! That was cool. And they said it was being shipped priority mail...so I should have it in a day or 2. Also, since UPS and FedEx don't deliver to my home, the fact it comes via USPS was a huge plus to me.
The tests are 2.40 each and their website has good instructions on how to ship it as well.
That's what I know so far. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes.
Oh I have also heard just recently that vets are reporting an increased incidence of nerve damage in the tails since bio tracking started, so I am thinking on doing a regular jugular blood draw. Does anyone have any comments on that? I have not done either, but I am confident I can manage having seen it done (the jugular that is) many many times.

matt_man · #10 12/14/10, 05:21 PM

Biotracking is really pretty easy. I can get most of our cows with a tail bleed but occasionally I have to use their jugular, which is even easier to do. I usually do the tail because I can do it by myself and don't need another person to hold their heads still.

The test is cheap and you have your results within 27 hours of them receiving the vials of blood. So, draw blood on Monday and send priority (there are several affiliate labs across the country to send them to) and you could have results as soon as Friday.

Trisha in WA · #11 12/20/10, 02:32 PM

Skip, they did a lovely job with packaging and instructions on how to ship. Even included a sticky return address label. I'll be sending off the samples today. I'll let you know how quickly I get the test results back.
I watched the video of doing the tail bleed and of a jugular bleed and decided for me it would be easier to do the tail this time.
Now, there is a fairly large bump under the tail on my heifer where I drew blood. I thought I would go out with a cool washcloth and see if I can get what is probably a pocket of blood to just come out and. Was thinking of putting some cotton there and wrapping with vet wrap.
Anyone have any thoughts on the situation and/or my plan?

myersfarm · #12 12/20/10, 03:14 PM

have done the tail bled bunch of times never had a problem and did nothing.....first few times I bet I stuck it 20 times still no problem....

Trisha in WA · #13 12/21/10, 11:09 AM

Well, I decided to take a wait and see approach and the swelling went down a great deal before the end of the evening. So, I think all is well. I will be sure to rub the spot or hold my finger on it longer next time to prevent the swelling.

Skip · #14 12/21/10, 07:57 PM

Let us know what the results are Trish. If she is not bred what are your options? Sorry if I missed them earlier in the thread, I'm brain fogged with a chest cold.

Trisha in WA · #15 12/21/10, 08:04 PM

I don't have to push my cows since I only milk for our own use (we have one cow in milk and the heifer). So, if one or both are not bred, I will wait until late spring/early summer and breed again for a spring calf next year.
I used a little unproven Highland bull this year. We would normally AI to a Lowline Angus or Angus bull, but I was unable to find someone here to AI in time and get the semen shipped. So, I hope to have all that lined up and ready for next year. We just moved here in May, so I was really limited on time to get a spring calf. It gets pretty hot here in the summer and very cold in the winter, so I choose to breed for spring calving.
Though I must admit I have toyed with the idea of a fall calf, just after it cools down so that I don't have to house 2 big calves with moms, since I am limited on barn space.
So, ask me again if I find out they aren't bred. LOL

Trisha in WA · #16 12/23/10, 10:12 PM

both cows are open. The heifer shows high enough levels of protein that she WAS bred but slipped the embryo.
Back to square one.
I have a neighbor that does AI and had a tank full of Angus. I may see if I can have him up on her next heat. That may not be advised (I don't know). So, if I can't get her bred on her next cycle (Jan2) then I will have to wait until summer. It's too cold here to have a calf any later than Oct (in my opinion).

Skip · #17 12/29/10, 12:34 AM

Trisha sorry to hear that. I'm fairly sure neither of my heifers are bred. But the knowing for sure is a plus, let's us know how to proceed. I was unexpectantly out of work for a month after buying the heifers so playing catch up. I'm just going to presume that they are open so set my priorities along those lines.
a) assess hay needs until june and buy more hay
b) build a good pen for a mini bull
c) purchase bull if the one i have my eye on is still available.

It would be nice to win a lottery at this point so I can spend it on my farming. Guess what makes it a hobby is the money that is needed to keep it going. My dream would be for it to be viable employment for myself at least.

Trisha in WA · #18 12/29/10, 11:34 AM

Skip, if you only have 2 heifers to breed, you would be money ahead to buy semen from a high quality bull (breed of your choosing) and pay an AI tech to come AI your heifers. If you are building your herd, you can do this several years before having it be cost effective to keep a bull. Plus, with AI you can get genetics that the average Joe can't afford when buying a bull. Semen is available for all different breeds. Just talk to other breeders who have the specific breed you want.
I prefer the Lowline Angus and I could never afford a quality bull of that breed, but I can afford the 5 straw minimum and shipping and the $30 AI tech fee.
Just a thought.
Trisha
PS I would highly recommend doing the blood test. For about $25 I was able to test both the cow and heifer and I have 9 vials and 11 needles left for testing in the future. And now I KNOW without a doubt if they are bred and am planning accordingly.
PPS decided to AI the cow and leave the heifer open until she can be bred for a spring calf.