How to determine due date

may1802 · #1 07/28/13, 12:11 PM

Hi all

We recently bought a Jersey Cross cow. Her previous owner said "She should be bred and due sometime in the fall" When I asked her if she could get any more specific, she could not.

Is there any way I can guestimate when she will calve. She wasn't in horrible conditions, but they weren't the best either. She is pretty thin, except for her belly. She is also acting as a nurse cow to a 2-3mo jersey heifer.

We are planning to dry her off next week, just so we don't tax her body any more than necessary, by milking her too late in her gestation.

I don't know if it would help at all, but we are doing once a day milking and getting 1 1/4-2 gallons a day, 1gal and 6c is pretty standard for her.
Any advice?
Thanks!!

oneokie · #2 07/28/13, 03:52 PM

Unless the previous owner knows/knew the service date-no.
You could have a Vet. palpate the cow and give you his best guess for a due date.

GaryS61 · #3 07/29/13, 09:35 AM

ultra sound by a good vet and you can get close but sill might be off by 3 weeks

Awnry Abe · #4 07/29/13, 11:12 PM

"Sometime in the fall" equals after Labor Day in some people's book. If it were me...I would err on the safe side and get the cow dried up ASAP so I wouldn't run into colostrum issues for the new calf. A vet's advice would be welcome advice to me. If your gut is telling you that she needs to have the pressure taken off, then listen to it. <2 gallons sounds low to me. What is the milk sharing arrangement with the calf?

....enjoy the waiting game this fall! I don't really care much about our beef cows calving, but our dairy cows are like members of the family and their calving is much anticipated. Watch that milk-stealing-teat-sucking jersey heifer, too. I have one that has wrecked my plans more than once.

G. Seddon · #5 07/30/13, 06:42 AM

If you are new to cows, get yourself a good book on calving; here's one:
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guid.../dp/1580177069

Also, there are things that a cow will do as she goes into labor. Google signs of imminent calving and learn what to look for. Most of the time, cows do just fine on their own, but it helps to know when to call the vet for assistance.

may1802 · #6 08/01/13, 04:16 PM

Thanks everyone! We went ahead and pulled the calf off of her and we'll wait

Abe- We are getting 1.3gal-2gal per milking. we have been milking her once a day (separate over night) and letting the calf have her the rest of the day.
G. Seddon- Thanks for the book tip! I've done a lot of reading and stalking the threads on here, but that looks like another good addition to the "homesteading library"

Thanks again everyone!