The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: ferdi on May 31, 2016, 10:07:48 pm
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Hi thereWas hoping for some help from those of you who know your cows,Last November I bought two lovely Kerry Heifers sold to me as not in calf.They were two years old in April and I was just thinking of putting them to a bull, but in the last month both their udders have grown considerably in size. Hopefully I have attached a photo, could someone tell me if a maiden heifer would have an udder like this or should I be expecting a calf in the coming weeks.Much thanks for any helpFerdi
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If it's all 4 quarters, I'd say she's bagging up.
If you bought through a livestock auction, you should be entitled to compensation. However, dairy types often do calve quite happily at 2 years old, or shortly after, so hopefully she won't be adversely affected by being a young mother.
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I wouldn't worry too much, many of ours take ages and then suddenly their bag is huge overnight. How long has got to go? Would be best to keep an eye on her and babi when born though if no improvements
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Thanks for your reply Sally. I bought the two of them privately, delivered all the way from Scotland to me iin Devon. and to tell the truth I would be quite pleased if they are in calf as trying to find a bull locally was proving problematic
Both of them are showing udder growth and I did think that Virgin heifers would not show so much. I had thought they were fat on new grass, but it must be more than that !!
Water buffalo farmer, thing is I don't know when they are due , as far as I knew they weren't in calf. But it's good to get feed back from you all that this udder size is a good indication they are
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Might be worth getting the vet to do a pd, they may be able to give you an idea as to when they may calve and allow you to be prepared. If they've been fed well as growing animals not expected to be in calf, they may need extra care as could need assistance calving.
Hope it all works out for you