[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Hey guys! I have a 8 year old cow that is. Due feb 4th, but I checked and her tailbone has dropped and her rear end is jiggly.. I was told that it means that she is getting closer to calving? Is that true? Should I be watching her?

 

[DoubleR]

Does she have any udder yet? Some cows will start softening a month or more early. What's her udder and teats look like?

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Her udder is so hairy that its hard to tell, but it looks to be filling up slightly..

 

[DoubleR]

Lol! I have a 1st time heifer that's going way before our normal herd calves. Being I don't have a bred date on her (bred by bull at the ranch she came from) I'm watching her like a hawk.
Her udder is SO hairy also! Makes it hard to tell how developed and full her udder is. I keep being tempted to put her threw the chute an clip it. Helps with cleanliness for the new calf as well.
Keep an eye on her udder and teats. Generally (but definitely not always) there bag will get full along with the teats.
Sounds like she's progressing but probably still has a little while.

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Thank you and lol right?

 

[DoubleR]

Maybe we'll have 2 successful deliveries at the same time

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

That would be awesome

 

[Fairfarmhand]

Its harder to tell with beef cows. Heifers can start developing an udder 6-8 weeks before they calve. If she's due the 4th, I'd start checking on her 2 times a day, since 10 days either side of the due date is considered full term.

Sure fire way of telling is when her teats fill up. If they go from skinny to full and squishy she's VERY close. Like withing 2 or 3 days at the most/.

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Thank you

 

[Fairfarmhand]

Post some pictures and I'll tell you what I think.

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Of her utter?

 

[DoubleR]

Yes Vulva, udder and rear (pins etc)

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

this is the picture of her utter and back end

 

[Fairfarmhand]

I think you've got awhile. Her backside will get large folds of flabby skin all around the edges. Here;s some pics.

http://www.cattleforum.com/entries/signs-of-calving.html

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Okay thanks

 

[DoubleR]

I agree. You've got a while.

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

opinions? Do you think she is getting closer? She is due in 8 days. Sorry if I'm being annoying, I'm just so excited.

 

[Fairfarmhand]

She is getting closer but not quite there. Still needs lots of saggy folds.

Her teats will be strutted out in the final day or 2 before. Think like a rubber glove filled with water.

 

[Hereford_Show_Girl]

Okay thank you

 

[DoubleR]

I still think you got a little while.
My heifer looks like the calf will fall out she's so loose and she's had a full udder for several days. Hubby call them missile ta ta's lol! Still no calf.