How long past due date

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SKF

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Joined
Apr 24, 2007
Messages
1,057
How long past due date do you let your cows go before you start to worry? We AIed a few cows and today is their due date but so far no calves. One of them I would imagin will go tonight or tomorrow but the others are showing some signs of getting ready to calf but I don't think they will be today or in the next couple of days. I exposed them to our bull a month after AIing so I know they are all bred. Someone told me that 10days late is okay is that true? I wish they would hurry up and calve because I have not had any sleep since I keep checking on them around the clock. I am sure the one time I don't check on them they will calve lol!
 

the angus111

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Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
385
SKF, TO SAVE WORRY GET THEM PREG CHECKED,IF YOU TURNED OUT A CLEANUP BULL A MONTH LATER,IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN 2 CYCLES MISSED.DO YOU HAVE WHEN THEY CAME IN HEAT , YOU AIED AND THERE WHEN THERE NEXT HEAT WOULD BE.IS THERE ANY SIGNS OF SWELLING OR DISCHARGE?I WOULD NOT WORRY RIGHT NOW,SLEEP!RUSTY
 

justintime

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Joined
May 26, 2007
Messages
4,346
Location
Saskatchewan Canada
It is quite normal for cows to go over their due dates. I think with some lines and also some clubby lines, which are composites of different breed genetics, there is more variation. I have seen wide variations even in ET full sibs all implanted on the same day. I have had as much as 18 days between full sibs on 2 occasions, and in both occasions the first and last calves born were heifers. I was expecting huge variations in BW however, the most difference there was was 10 lb  between 1st and last. That was my experience and may not be anyone else's. I am beginning to think that the cow has more to say about time of calving that we have put on her in the past. I have one cow that always fools me and calves before I am expecting her to, and she doesn't seem to even make much udder until after she calves. I have three daughters in the herd, and they do the same thing, although they are not as pronounced as their mother. All 4 of these cows seem to have very short gestation lengths. Most I have read indicates the sire has a lot to do with gestation length, and I think this is correct, however, I suspect the dam has some influence as well.

I have never induced a female that has gone over her due date, however, I do know it is a common practice. I do not worry about any of them no matter how far over they go, however it does make for many more trips to the barn or pasture. In warm weather months, I put Mother Nature in charge, and usually it works out very well.
 

knabe

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Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
13,639
Location
Hollister, CA
what's the shortest length once feet appear that you've seen a calf give birth?

today, 20 minutes.
 

jallen

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Joined
Mar 2, 2009
Messages
314
Location
Gardner
If they are two weeks they are not AI most likely they are to a bull or something else. on very rare occasions do you have them born that much over. If they are get blood work done cause they could just be early.
 

farmboy

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Joined
Apr 21, 2007
Messages
5,652
Location
south webster ohio
i found a cow with her water bag hanging out before it popped. ran to the house for about 10 minutes, came back and the calf was on the ground. cow was crazy though.
 

Reinken Cattle Co.

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Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
327
Location
Boone, Ia
I didnt see this cow have a calf, but was on the phone with my mom while she was there and with in a matter of 5 min or so when my mom said feet were out she had her calf. Lowline= calving ease! she must of sneezed ha!
 
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