Pregnancy Test for Cow?

TamiJoyFarm · #1 12/15/12, 12:02 PM

Our heifer was slated to be butchered this fall but we were told by two of our acquaintances she looked pregnant. Apparently the two weeks she was corralled with the bull (prior to castration), she must have become bred. So we held off butchering and are in the process of building shelter for her as her due date should be somewhere between December 25th and January 30th. I've read the only real way to confirm she is pregnant is for the vet to check her and that isn't possible for us as we don't have a squeeze shute.

Do any of you have any advice other than waiting it out? If I caught her stream with one of those home pregnancy devices used for women, do you think it would detect a pregnancy for a cow?

G. Seddon · #2 12/15/12, 12:20 PM

I doubt the home pregnancy kit for women would work.

Ultrasound, palpation, BioPryn would all require restraint (chute with headgate); you might be able to "bump" her, but if she's not user friendly and can't be handled, that's doubtful too.

With no way to do it hands on, you may just have to see if her udder is developing and watch her behavior. Google "signs of calving" to get some idea of what to watch for.

SpaceCadet12364 · #3 12/15/12, 01:55 PM

Being that close she should have an udder by now.

TamiJoyFarm · #4 12/15/12, 02:21 PM

She does but I was told it could be a false pregnancy with the udder being just fat?

topside1 · #5 12/15/12, 03:26 PM

How about a photo, lots of skilled eyes on this forum...Photo from the rear would be best. Topside

SpaceCadet12364 · #6 12/15/12, 03:34 PM

Did she get real wide for about a week at one point then thin back down if so that was the calf turning around . And if not you might want to take her to the vet to verify the calf has turned. To have to deal with a breach on your own the first time is not something I would recommend for anybody.

Dusky Beauty · #7 12/15/12, 04:38 PM

Dollar store home pregnancy tests won't work on a cow (don't worry I had the same idea once :P)
People pregnancy tests react to Human growth hormone. A cow screen has to look for a different hormone.
If you can draw blood on her your best option is biopryn at I think 7$?

Although with udder development I would give her the benefit of the doubt. An hysterical pregnancy is far less likely than an actual pregnancy.

TamiJoyFarm · #8 12/15/12, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topside1

How about a photo, lots of skilled eyes on this forum...Photo from the rear would be best. Topside

Heading out right now to get those photos!

Farmerboy16 · #9 12/15/12, 05:13 PM

I got my cow blood tested for $2.65, and got the test results 2 days later. Did the blood drawing by myself as the first timer, although it took me 4 tries to find the blood vein. Poor girl, she wiggled a bit, but was a good girl.

Pictures will be helpful too.

TamiJoyFarm · #10 12/15/12, 05:27 PM

Here are a few photos:

Dusky Beauty · #11 12/15/12, 05:45 PM

That is one pregnant cow.
Congratulations!

SpaceCadet12364 · #12 12/15/12, 05:58 PM

She appears to be carrying her tail. A picture of her butt may tell how close she is. Teats are well developed. Depending on how well she takes care of the calf She may very well be worth holding onto.

myheaven · #13 12/15/12, 06:24 PM

I'm thinking shes with child.

myheaven · #14 12/15/12, 06:31 PM

Oh by the way I don't have a squeeze shoot. I have a collar for my girl. We chain her to a section of cattle pannle and I squeeze against her and the vet will do all that is needed. Heifer isn't to happy but we get don't what Is needed. And no a home pregnancy test won't work. It reads hcg. Cows don't put out hcg. If you can get her blood drawn bio tracking can tell you quickly. But what's 4 more weeks. What was she to be butchered?

TamiJoyFarm · #15 12/15/12, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myheaven

Oh by the way I don't have a squeeze shoot. I have a collar for my girl. We chain her to a section of cattle pannle and I squeeze against her and the vet will do all that is needed. Heifer isn't to happy but we get don't what Is needed. And no a home pregnancy test won't work. It reads hcg. Cows don't put out hcg. If you can get her blood drawn bio tracking can tell you quickly. But what's 4 more weeks. What was she to be butchered?

Thanks everyone for your comments/advice. Now my DH must finish the barn, pronto! Poor guy has been working his regular job each day and working on the barn so our cow has a shelter for she and the calf.

And yes, myheaven, she was supposed to be butchered.

myheaven · #16 12/15/12, 07:16 PM

Sorry my phone switched words. I ment to ask why was she to be butchered? Bad Genitics? If she will breed and take I'm saying that's pretty good. I have spent a small fortune to get my Molly pregnant am she is still open!

myheaven · #17 12/15/12, 07:16 PM

Btw I'm so jealous of the barn frame. I have so desired a barn for so long. I have barn envy.

TamiJoyFarm · #18 12/15/12, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myheaven

Sorry my phone switched words. I ment to ask why was she to be butchered? Bad Genitics? If she will breed and take I'm saying that's pretty good. I have spent a small fortune to get my Molly pregnant am she is still open!

We bought her and a steer from a friend that we've bought from in the past. Our past couple of years, he has supplied us with castrated bulls and we've had great luck. He only had one steer available and this one heifer so we took her too. Didn't know she was pregnant, either did he. He offered to take her back, pregnant and give us another steer. We said no thanks we will keep her and the calf and breed her each year.

Judy in IN · #19 12/15/12, 07:26 PM

Njce barn! Nice cow! Girl, add some chickens and you are living the dream!

myheaven · #20 12/15/12, 07:37 PM

Tami, you got yourself a deal! Good job!!!