When to inseminate a cow after calving. How to accurately determine that a cow is in heat: effective methods. I would like to share my experience of detecting heat in cows and heifers, and also advise when they need to be inseminated

Is your cow not coming into heat? It only seems so to you! (+ video)

The most favorable time for insemination of cows is the second half of the hunt. The cow is inseminated twice during this time, with an interval of 10-12 hours. That is why identifying the heat phase in cows is one of the most important aspects of the work of a zoo engineer and veterinarian. After all, the level of reproduction of the herd and the efficiency of the entire production depend on the timely identification of the period favorable for fertilization.

Hunting by cows: general concepts

Methods for identifying cows in heat

Measuring body temperature (thermometry)

One of the most accurate signs of the onset of ovulation in a cow is an increase in body temperature of at least 0.2 ° C compared to the temperature for the previous day or its average value for the previous 3 days. The measurement is carried out using special thermometers in the rectum, vagina or directly at the moment of its entry into the milking machine. However, it is worth noting that a clear increase in body temperature on the day of hunting is recorded in only 27% of animals. In addition, an increase in body temperature in a cow is often caused by other reasons: subclinical, infections or other factors.

Probe Bulls

This method uses operated bulls that are unable to fertilize cows. Such bulls begin to be used from 12-15 months of age. They are used to diagnose heat, early diagnosis of pregnancy, and stimulate sexual function during puberty and the postpartum period. One sampler is used for 150-200 cows or heifers. The effectiveness of the method, when used correctly, is 95-100%.

The test bull must be kept separate from the herd so that its sexual reflexes are not inhibited. Samplers are released daily in the morning and evening for 1.5-2 hours into the pens where there are infertile, recently calved (from the 3-4th day after birth) and inseminated (from the 10th to the 30th day after insemination) cows. At this time, the sexual behavior of the animals is carefully observed.

If the female allows the mounting of the test bull, the heat is considered detected. Such a cow is removed from the pen so that the sampler can find other females in heat.

By the way

Based on the reaction of females to test bulls in the period from the 10th to the 30th day after insemination, infertility or pregnancy can be diagnosed in a timely manner. Heat detected during these periods is a true sign of infertility, and its absence is a probable sign of pregnancy.

Sampler bulls have another use. In a number of countries, they are successfully used to detect heat in herds where animal engineers do not have the opportunity to constantly observe the behavior of animals.
The essence of the technique is simple - the test bull is equipped with a special device that leaves colored marks on the cows. The tap is secured to the bull's chin with straps.

Several sample bulls are prepared for the herd, which are changed one by one, every 2-7 days. Bulls court females and mount cows in heat. During this type of mounting, the markers leave short lines on the cows' lower back between the shoulder blades. Using these marks, animals are selected for insemination at least 2 times a day.

An instrumental way to detect heat

This method is also based on recording secondary signs of sexual arousal and heat in cows. For example, registration of the “hug reflex” using a colored mark at the root of the tail. This mark is a stripe on the animal's skin running from the first caudal vertebra downwards, applied with chalk or paint. If the cow is in the stage of excitement, she allows other cows or heifers to jump on her. As a result of such manipulations, the mark is partially or completely erased. Females that allow jumping are selected for insemination at least 2 times a day. This is one of the most practical and effective additional methods for timing cows and heifers. The main disadvantage of the method is the high level of false-positive determinations (up to 37%).

Heat detector for cows

Measurement of motor activity (pedometry)

Cows in heat show great anxiety and begin. It is by the increase in motor activity compared to the previous day or the average level of activity at a balanced stage of the sexual cycle that the hunting phase can be identified. On large industries To measure physical activity, mechanical or electronic pedometers are used, which are attached to the limbs of cows. Instrument readings are taken 2 times a day. Electronic pedometers are more convenient for practical use: measurement results are reproduced on a “yes-no” basis. With a twofold increase in physical activity, the red light turns on, and with a lesser increase, the green light turns on.

For personal subsidiary farms A simpler way to determine activity is also suitable: a cow or heifer that is showing signs of restlessness, jumping and galloping tirelessly and trying to escape from the herd can always be identified visually.

Why doesn't a cow come into heat?

Often the signs of heat in cows can be very weak, so they should be let out for a walk together. The presence of other animals has an exciting effect on the cow in heat;

The level of feeding and general body condition influence the manifestation of heat and its duration. Insufficient feeding prevents the maturation of follicles in the ovaries. If body condition is low, animals do not go into heat well, and it dies out quickly for them. But excessively obese cows receiving an unbalanced diet also have a shortened period of heat.

Read about how chlamydia infections affect cow infertility

Kira Stoletova

It is difficult for an inexperienced farmer to notice when a cow is in heat. One of the most important processes When the animal reaches puberty, hunting by cows requires special attention from humans. What to do if the cow does not come into heat? The proximity of cattle makes it possible to organize the work of the entire farm.

Identifying cows in heat is a primary task for a person who breeds livestock. For large farms, there are separate methods for determining heat in a specific cow from a large herd.

Cows and other cattle

Hunting in a cow is a natural process, without which the behavior of animals is considered incorrect. It is very difficult for a novice farmer to distinguish when false heat occurs in cows, or to record moments when they refuse it. The periods when a cow is approaching heat should not be ignored by humans, because it is he who prepares favorable conditions for the livestock.

Is it normal for a young cow to go into heat? Experts convince us that there is no need to be afraid of early puberty in animals. The main thing is how a person reacts to any changes. It's very easy to guess the right moment.

Fertilization is intended by nature not only for procreation cattle, but also for regulation internal processes in the animal's body. After the hunt, the female becomes calm and does not harm herself or the farmer. Skipping the periods when a cow is ready to go into heat for the first time is dangerous for the animal.

False heat in cows is also common. This phenomenon is a signal to the farmer that unwanted hormonal changes are occurring inside the heifer.

Before acquiring cattle, it is necessary to evaluate own strength. Without proper preparation and study of the lifestyle of animals, it will not be possible to breed heifers or bulls. In order not to waste time and effort in vain, you should consult with experienced farmers. Help won't hurt anyone.

When is the right time and the cow is ready to get pregnant?

Puberty of cows

What to do if a cow does not come into heat for a long time? Puberty of the female must be noticed in a timely manner; the consequences of abstinence in livestock are expressed in strong aggression and atypical behavior. A cow is a full-cycle individual in terms of physiological development. The restructuring of her hormones occurs every 25 days (sometimes less - every 18 days). Throughout this cycle, the heifer behaves calmly and balanced. The average cycle is 3 weeks.

The phases of hormonal changes in the body of a heifer are as follows:

the female gets excited;
braking stage;
the period when the cow is balanced.

The cow gets ready to hunt in one phase, and send the heifer to the bull at any time. convenient time for the farmer it is unprofitable and even dangerous: aggression from the cow cannot be avoided.

Hunting is determined by primary signs if the number of livestock on the farm is small. Maturation in a large herd occurs unnoticed by humans. The behavior of a bull is more pronounced, but cows show desire in a different way. During the period of excitement, the formation of eggs occurs in the heifer’s body, and at the same time the level of estrogen increases. Determining a heifer's readiness to hunt during this period is difficult.

Due to the increase in estrogen, the cow experiences vaginal discharge. For the bull, this is the first sign that he can mate soon. The heifer cannot continue hunting for a long time; on average, the entire period takes from 10 to 20 hours. If you miss the right moment, the animal will not want to mate.

Heifers that are in heat can injure and harm the bull. It is impossible to schedule the fertilization of a cow without taking into account the physiological characteristics of her body. There's no point in doing this.

Maturation period

Five days pass from estrus to the formation of the yellow body. The cow's behavior gradually changes. The first sign of puberty is discharge from the animal's vagina. Detecting discharge is a matter of 5 minutes for an experienced farmer. A day after the start of estrus, ovulation begins. The egg appears on the second day after estrus. The formed cell is ready for fertilization with bull sperm.

After another 5 days, the braking phase begins. A new yellow body takes the place of the follicle, and progesterone is produced. It is not worth mating during the braking period. After the heifers calm down, they avoid the bull and any intimacy with individuals of the opposite sex. The discharge becomes thick and soon ends. The next two weeks are a balancing act for the heifer, with progesterone high and tarragon low.

In winter, the heifer does not strive to hunt. Cold weather and dry food make the animals weak and passive, but after a few months the cows hunt with great zeal.

Estrus lasts only a few days, and during this period the farm owner must manage the mating of the cattle. Artificial stimulation (the heifer is fed special drugs) will be more expensive and take longer. The heifer hunts in the created favorable conditions. The reasons why a cow does not come into heat and refuses intimacy with bulls must be studied and eliminated. Abstinence leads to serious illnesses, and then the cattle have to be treated for a long time.

Information about how long a cow is in heat will help improve the functioning of the entire farm.

Signs of heat in cows are signals that need to be responded to immediately. It is in the interests of the farm owner to detect the heifer's heat in a timely manner, because the successful moment lasts no more than a day. The method of detecting heat and the causes of poor health in animals have been studied by farmers for centuries. Folk remedies and advice from experienced owners of large livestock will help beginners in the first couple of days.

Among the habits of a heifer during puberty and methods for determining heat are:

a sharp change in the behavior of livestock;
external changes in the genital organs of the cow;
test goby technique;
measuring the animal’s body temperature (a thermometer is placed in the rectum of the livestock or the temperature of milk taken from a cow is measured);
“fern leaf” method;
excessive activity of the animal;
measuring the resistance of the vaginal walls (this method is used for large farms).

After taking bulls and cows, the degree of maturation of the cow is monitored after a short period of time. It is not difficult to identify the signs; the main thing is to observe the behavior of the animals in the herd. It is better to make do with the natural readiness of the cow, but it is not recommended to give drugs without a veterinarian. Signs will help determine the readiness of the heifer. A test bull is considered one of the simplest and most accessible ways to determine that it is time to inseminate a cow. The favorable moment for mating lasts only a day, in extreme cases - 2 days, during which you need to have time to fertilize the egg. Every new farmer goes through a difficult process, and then gains invaluable experience for the future.

Another feature is that cows hunt differently after calving; the cow’s behavior changes and she becomes a little calmer.

Test bull for hunting

When there are more than 100 cows in a herd, it is impossible to determine the heat of each one. In this case, the farmer uses convenient methods to determine estrus. The sexual maturity of a heifer is determined using a test bull. It helps to find cows that should be inseminated. The tester is considered to be a bull whose seminal canals are tied. Sometimes young animals have their penis bent on purpose. Such a bull cannot fully inseminate a heifer through mating.

A castrated bull is also suitable for such purposes. To prepare a male for the role of a probe, special means for androgens, which do not allow heifers to be inseminated, will be possible. Such sexual inferiority plays into the farmer's hands.

The bull should be brought in as soon as the females in the herd show signs of estrus. More often, sexual maturity occurs in heifers in a short period of time.

3 - Detection of sexual heat

"SILENT" HUNTING AT A COW. HOLSTIN in village conditions.

The cow is in heat.

Sexual activity in test bulls remains, but insemination is impossible. Intimacy with a castrated male is considered additional stimulation for heifers. One bull can stimulate up to a hundred cows of different ages. The sampler should be kept separate from the rest of the livestock. The bull is released only for 2-3 hours, no more than 2 times a day. Farmers stock up on two or three bulls at once. The video clearly shows how to properly prepare animals.

The first calving is determined by the bull. The young animals are caged. Cows do not resist or run away from bulls. This method determines the pregnancy of a heifer. If after 10 days the heifer allows mating, then she is not fertilized. Signs of pregnancy in the early stages cannot be detected using other methods. A pregnant heifer behaves aggressively after the first mating - this is a sure sign that fertilization has already occurred. There is no vaginal discharge observed during the following days of calving. At the age of up to one year, a heifer can become pregnant from the first contact with a bull.

Heat detection methods

Scientists have developed their own methods for determining the heat of heifers. Each method has both advantages and disadvantages. Signs of heat are not always easy to notice or find, even with modern scientific methods. Well-known methods for determining when the first heat began in young cows are presented below:

Podometry. The method is based on measuring the length of the animal's steps. For these purposes, the farmer will need a special, expensive device. An animal in heat moves with long strides. Video filming helps to determine the heat of any heifer. Effective method Due to its high cost, it did not gain widespread popularity.
Electrical resistance of the vaginal walls. The old method does not require much investment of time or money, but it produces questionable results. Only 20% of heifers in heat are detected.
Measuring body temperature. This method identifies only a third of heifers in heat.
Laboratory research. The mucus from the animal's vagina is examined. Not every farmer can do such a check. Not every owner of his own farm yard can afford this expensive and costly method. The vagina becomes covered with mucus, which contains increased amounts of estrogen.

The choice of method depends on the number of females in the herd and the capabilities of the farmer. The use of expensive tests is not practical for large farms.

Possible difficulties during hunting

A quiet heifer without heat is a problem for any owner. Such an animal requires special care and attention. Failures when the animal body does not produce the necessary hormones can affect not only the eggs and development of the heifer, but also lead to the death of livestock. Where to put such a heifer? The animal is carefully examined by a veterinarian, because insemination is not the only problem for the farmer.

Diseases internal organs or improper nutrition can cause the absence of estrus. If the heifer is quiet and her body is weak, then the problem is either in the feeder or in her lifestyle. Changes in living conditions lead to the restoration of internal processes in the heifer’s body. Internal pathologies are treated with medications. There is no point in self-medicating livestock.

How to guess the timing of mating? The video “detection of sexual heat in cows” will help every beginner who has not previously encountered the fertilization of cows.

The periods of sexual heat in cows do not last long, but it is necessary to prepare for them carefully. It is not always possible to induce heat in a female using artificial methods, therefore it is in the interests of the farmer to determine the natural processes that occur in each animal. If the time has come to inseminate the heifer, she will let you know about it.

Conclusion

Thus, the estrus period is extremely important for both the physical and psychological state of the animal, so if the cow is not in heat, this is a reason to think that perhaps something is wrong with the cow’s health. You can find out exactly what it is by contacting a veterinarian - only he can correctly identify the causes and prescribe the correct treatment, so that in a few days the cow will again enjoy the desire for sexual activity.

When should a cow be inseminated after calving?

According to the Ministry of Agriculture Russian Federation, one day of infertility of a cow (30 days after calving) leads to a loss of 0.003 calf and at least 7 kg of milk with an annual milk yield of 4000 kg.

In conditions of a shortage of complete feed, lack of exercise and insolation in a number of farms in Russia, veterinary control over the reproduction of the herd is especially important. It is necessary to achieve a physiologically justified reduction in days of infertility, and to obtain at least one calf per year from each cow.

Domestic and Foreign experience show that with the normal physiological status of the herd, by the end of the first month after separation, the postpartum involution of the genital organs is completed and the cyclic activity of the ovaries is resumed. Until the end of the second month, two full stages of arousal of the sexual cycle may appear. Therefore, you should not skip the first heat of normally calved cows. The physiologically optimal period for insemination of cows is considered to be 30-60 days after calving. Reduction to 60 days. the interval between calving and fertilization allows you to get up to 100 or more calves from every 100 cows per year. At the same time, milk production increases by 10-20%. However, on most farms in the Russian Federation, no more than 40% of cows become pregnant in the first two months after calving, and the service period varies from 80 to 120 days.

Many years of experience show that there is either no direct relationship between high milk yield and fertilization problems at all, or it is very weak. Therefore, the hypotheses according to which high milk production contributes to the deterioration of fertilization are not substantiated.

Thus, in Israel, with a milk yield above 9000 kg of milk per year, cows calve annually. Currently, the intercalving period averages about 388 days. Cows are inseminated after 60 days. After calving, about 80% of them are fertilized. To reduce the period between two calvings, cows are stimulated to estrus if they are within 50 days. after calving they did not come into heat.

Specialists from the Institute of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction in Germany pay special attention in activities for farmers to improve the reproduction of cattle to timely and careful monitoring of the detection of estrus and heat in cows. It is believed that, along with the correct obtaining of high-quality sperm and other measures, timely detection of heat in cows and their insemination affect fertility, pregnancy rates, and ultimately the production of milk and meat. In their opinion, two-time control of estrus and heat during the day compared to one-time control increases fertility by 3-6%. Observance of the interval between detection of heat and the first insemination has a significant impact on the fruitful insemination of cows. The Institute’s specialists believe that with a one-time daily heat control, the interval between the moment of detection of heat and insemination should be 4-8 hours, and with double control, if heat is detected in the morning, then inseminate at noon; if heat is detected at noon, then inseminate the next morning .

Usually, single insemination is used abroad, but German experts believe that double insemination within one hunt increases the pregnancy rate. Among the clinical methods for determining heat, test bulls are often used. At the same time, they note that clinical methods of heat control can be significantly supplemented by biotechnical control, in particular, a progesterone test. Special attention refers to the study of the quality of sperm of breeding bulls.

SOURCE: "Agro-industrial production: experience, problems and development trends" Review information

The effectiveness of management depends on the accuracy of determining the time when a cow comes into heat. farm business. According to research, missing only one favorable period of fertilization for each cow in a farm consisting of 100 heads leads to large losses - a shortfall of about 100 centners of milk per year and 6 calves. The article will tell you how to determine the onset of heat, what methods are used to identify the state when a cow is ready for mating. Readers will learn what problems can arise when determining whether animals are ready to mate.

Duration of the hunt

Heat is a state when a cow is ready for mating. The average duration of this period is 18 hours (sometimes 6-24 hours), it depends on the breed and age of the individual, as well as on other factors, such as the time of year. In winter, this condition lasts less than in summer.

For fertilization to take place, it is necessary not only not to miss the moment when the animal is walking, but also to accurately determine the time of the active phase of hunting. This period is characterized by three stages:

Early (excitation stage).
Medium (active stage of estrus).
Late (coming out of estrus).

Reference. Experienced farmers recommend inseminating cows during the middle phase of estrus, which coincides with the active stage of heat. At this time, excitement increases, estrogen levels rise sharply, and progesterone levels fall. After 10-18 hours, ovulation usually occurs, when the follicle opens and an egg is released.

A cow comes into heat after calving in about 30-60 days, sometimes these dates shift in one direction or another. If her birth went without complications and the animal is healthy, then mating can be done again. By what signs this condition is determined and what methods are used, we will consider further.

Methods for determining heat in cows

Based on the behavior of the female, it can be assumed that she is in heat, but such a diagnosis is not considered the most accurate, since many animals have a blurred picture of arousal. In addition, if a farmer has a large number of livestock, he is unlikely to be able to keep track of each individual. Signs of heat in a cow are as follows:

The animal loses its appetite.
Worries, wanders, moos.
A pale pink mucous secretion is released from the genitals.
The vagina becomes slightly red and swollen.
The female, being in heat, chases other cows in the herd and mounts them.
He lets the bull approach him, accepts the mounting, stands motionless, arching his back.
The animal's motor activity increases.

There are other ways to determine the state of heat, they allow you to control the readiness of cows for mating in large farms Oh:

Temperature measurement.
Using test bulls.
Instrumental method.
Pedometry.
Heat detector.

These methods are highly effective. Let's look at each of them in detail.

Body temperature measurement

Before ovulation begins, hormonal changes inevitably occur. In this regard, the cow’s body temperature also changes. To notice deviations and accurately determine the time when heat occurs, it is necessary to measure the temperature daily. Before ovulation, it rises by about 0.3 degrees.

Probe Bulls

Farms must have bulls with a keen sense of smell. During estrus, cows secrete mucus, which gives off a special odor. Probing bulls pick up on it and show interest in the individual ready to mate. If a female accepts the cage of such a bull, she is selected for insemination. This method allows you to accurately determine the state of heat in cows.

Note. Test bulls are brought to the cows daily for 1.5-2 hours, morning and evening.

Instrumental method

An instrumental diagnostic method involves taking an animal’s mucus for analysis using a special instrument. When estrogen levels reach maximum values, the mucous secretion acquires a special structure, this can be seen under a microscope. When the hunt ends, ovulation occurs, the mucus looks different, its crystals disintegrate. This method is not always convenient, so it is rarely used in Russia and the CIS countries.

Pedometry

When a cow hunts, her physical activity increases. The pedometry method is precisely based on this observation. For diagnosis, a special device is attached to the animal’s limb, which records activity. Daily monitoring of the data obtained allows you to accurately determine when the cow is more active; this time coincides with the beginning of heat.

Heat detector

Owners of large farms can afford to purchase a special device that helps diagnose approaching estrus and ovulation. It resembles a large electronic thermometer, the tip of which is inserted into the cow's vagina for 1 minute. The device displays data that allows you to make a conclusion whether the cow is in heat or not. The disadvantage of this technique is the high cost of the device, so owners of small farms are not interested in purchasing an estrus detector.

Possible problems

It also happens that a cow does not come into heat. What does this mean:

Too little time has passed; the animal has not yet recovered from the birth.
Pregnancy has occurred.
The female cow is in quiet heat (its signs are weakly expressed).
Ovarian cyst.

If there are no signs of estrus after calving, it means that the animal’s body has not yet recovered. This happens if the birth was complicated. It takes time for hormonal levels to return to normal and for the sexual cycle to improve.

The cow does not come into heat if she is pregnant again. In this case, this is good news for the farmer. But things don't always happen like this. Often females do not show signs of readiness for mating due to hormonal imbalance. Such pathologies cause the formation of cysts on the ovaries, which leads to disruption of their normal functioning. The causes of hormonal imbalance in cows are:

Poor living conditions.
Overfeeding of livestock.
Poor nutrition.

Attention! Hormonal imbalance often provokes false heat, when a cow shows interest in bulls for a long time.

The time when a cow comes into heat after calving, on average, varies between 30-60 days. This depends on the state of health of the cow, on her diet, on how the previous birth went. It is not difficult to determine this period; it is enough to carefully observe the behavior of animals. Owners of large farms should use other methods for determining the readiness of cows for mating, such as temperature measurements, a pedometer, an estrus detector, and also take advantage of the keen sense of test bulls.

Keeping and breeding cows is a responsible business. It is necessary to show care and certain knowledge in order for the reproduction of the herd to be successful. It is important to know how long a cow's pregnancy lasts and to be able to calculate the calving date. This is necessary in order to be able to prepare for childbirth and create all the conditions for the normal course of this process.

A cow's pregnancy, or scientifically called pregnancy, lasts, like in humans, nine months. Converted to days, it turns out to be 280-285 days. However, a cow can calve either earlier than nine months or later. In general, the period of 285 days is quite accurate; deviations from it are rare, but they do happen.

The duration of pregnancy depends on the following factors:

Conditions and care of the cow. Due to poor conditions, birth may occur earlier than nine months.
Features of the breed, the animal itself. There are early ripening meat breeds, in which gestation of a calf lasts several days less, or universal, like.
Gender of the calf. It is believed that females are born 2-3 days earlier.
Cow nutrition. Poor nutrition can lead to an increase in gestation period by 10-12 days.
Is the cow a first-calf or has it already given birth?

Important! The norm is considered to be a pregnancy period of 240-310 days. 45% of pregnancies in cows last 280 days, 30% of pregnancies end on days 283–287.

How to determine your due date

It is very easy to determine the expected calving date. You just need to know the date of insemination. There is a special formula for determining the due date:

O = (D+10)/(H-3)

Here O is the date of calving, D is the date of insemination, N is the serial number of the month of fertilization.

For example, if a cow was fertilized on May 5, then using the formula it is easy to calculate that the approximate date of birth is February 15.

O = (5+10)/(5-3) = 15 (day) /2 (month).

If the day turns out to be more than 30, subtract 30 from it and add one to the month number.

Ultrasound diagnostics of pregnancy is carried out within a month after insemination.

There is also a calendar for gestation and pregnancy of cows. It is a table with dates of insemination and calving by month. The results of this table are calculated based on the formula presented above.

You need to know the due date in order to prepare for the arrival of the calf, and to know when the animal may need help. And most importantly, 2 months before giving birth, it is recommended to stop milking the cow (“start it”). A pregnant cow must be in a dry period before giving birth to her calf. This is important for the health of the heifer and calf, as well as for maintaining milk yield in the future. The animal should rest before giving birth and gain strength.

How to determine if a cow is pregnant

Insemination of a cow does not always result in pregnancy, so the question arises of how to determine the pregnancy of an animal. You can find out that a cow is pregnant in different ways:

Pregnant cow before calving.

Give the milk for testing. A milk sample is taken on the 20th day after mating and sent to the laboratory.
Bring the bull to the cow several times. If she is no longer in heat, then the insemination was successful.
They note that a pregnant cow becomes calmer, more careful, eats more and does not call the bull. The texture of the coat changes, it becomes smooth and shiny, and fits tightly to the heifer’s body.
A clear sign is copious secretion of mucus from the genitals.
Externally and by touch, you can determine pregnancy by the 5th month.
Take a few drops of milk after pumping. They are dropped into the water. If the drops settle to the bottom and do not dissolve, the animal is pregnant.
Milk is mixed with medical alcohol in equal parts. If the milk curdled, insemination was successful.
A veterinarian can determine pregnancy one and a half to two months after conception. This is done rectally.
Using ultrasound diagnostics. This method is rarely used and only if more than a month has passed since mating. This method allows you to find out how many months of pregnancy have already passed.
Using a progesterone test to diagnose pregnancy. Allows you to find out about pregnancy 21 days after mating and set the exact date of insemination.

How is pregnancy progressing?

The ability of cows to become pregnant and carry a calf normally is determined by weight, not age. When the weight gain is 60% of the weight of an adult animal, mating can be carried out. Pregnancy occurs if insemination occurs during ovulation.

A cow can give birth to two or even three calves.

One cow usually gives birth to one calf, but there are cases of calvings with two, three and four calves. When several calves are born, they are very weak and small. Same-sex calves develop normally. In the case of heterosexual offspring, heifers may be infertile.

During pregnancy, the cow requires special care:

The stall must be clean. It must be ventilated and properly lit.
It is better to graze a pregnant cow separately from the herd, especially in the last months.
Such a cow needs to be fed fully and in sufficient quantities (the exception is transfer to dry wood). Otherwise, another pathology may occur.

Important! If you suspect illness or complications during pregnancy, you should call a veterinarian. It is not recommended to treat a pregnant cow yourself. It is also necessary to call a veterinarian if, after giving birth, the cow falls and cannot get up. This could be birth paresis.

Signs of imminent calving:

The cow stops eating and drinks little.
Becomes skittish.
The udder enlarges, the genitals swell and turn blue.
Colostrum appears.
The stomach sags.

If the owner is not careful, the cow may calve while out on the run.

Before calving (5-7 days before the due date), the barn is disinfected, the amount of bedding is increased, and more attention is paid to the heifer. In order not to miss the onset of labor, the cow is checked frequently these days, including at night.

The onset of labor can be seen by the cow’s behavior: she restlessly walks around the stall, mooing protractedly, raising her tail, and shuffling her feet. The calving process must be monitored and, if necessary, a veterinarian must be called.

Features of lactation

A pregnant cow can be milked, but only up to a certain point. By the 5th month of pregnancy, milk becomes less and less. If the cow continues to produce milk, then you can milk her until the 7th month. Next you need to start the cow. If by the 7th month the volume of milk has decreased to 3-4 liters, then you can stop milking immediately. If not, you will need help with the transfer to dry wood. After the milk leaves, you will need to gradually return to your previous diet.

The pregnant cow is provided with stall housing and transferred to dry food.

To transfer an animal to dry wood you need to:

Give the cow less to drink;
Feed less, do not give lush green grass, instead feed with straw and hay;
Do not allow to graze for a long time (no more than 4 hours).

Attention! 1-2 weeks before giving birth, the cow's udder enlarges and colostrum begins to be released - a sweetish transparent substance with lumps. Before childbirth, milk tastes bitter.

A pregnant cow requires special care. All 9 months of pregnancy and the calving process itself must be carried out under the control of the livestock breeder and, if necessary, a veterinarian. Proper care and accurate determination of the calving date will allow you to get healthy offspring and good milk yield in the future.

The video describes in detail, on behalf of an experienced livestock breeder, how to feed and care for a pregnant cow in the last months:

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