How to Tell if Your Cow is About to Have a Calf

Before we get too involved in the signs and symptoms of an imminent delivery, you should know that the truth is that it is basically impossible to tell when the big moment is going to occur.

I have tracked full moons, The Farmers Almanac, watched the pins, the vulva, the udder, and the stools.

At the end of the day, there really is not anyone who can tell you exactly when your cow will deliver.

BUT – there are some cool signs you can look for to know if your gal is getting close.

“Close” could mean a baby cow will show in 45 minutes or in 5 days.  All cows are different.

Here is what I have learned 

Some traditional signs farmers use to tell if their cows are nearing calving

ONE:  MUCUS

Look for a discharge or mucus string leaking from the vulva – this can signify that your cow is moving toward labor and delivery.

Or she could just drip goo for a week and a half before dropping the calf.

Cough.  Daisy.

TWO:  BAGGING UP

Typically cows will develop an enormous, voluptuous udder before giving birth.  This is actually a terrible predictor because high producers can generate a ridiculous-sized udder up to 6 weeks before the big day.  Other, less experienced cows, will manufacture an udder out of nowhere 2 hours before dropping a calf on the ground.

So, if your cow’s udder is giant – you may or may not have a baby soon.  You’re looking at a window of 2 hours to 6 weeks.

THREE:  PINS

This one still has me scratching my head.

First of all, you must locate these mysterious “pins” and begin to document their whereabouts and evolution.

Pins will change (I’m told).

Of course, this change will only be observed if you happen to know what pins are and where pins are and what they look like.

Here is what I do know:

The pins are located near the rear of the cow.  Experts have shared with me that pins have divets and sunken parts which will become even more pronounced when the big day is near.  If the pins look like a lower case “n” you are probably a day away from a baby cow.

My problem is I still don’t know exactly what the heck I am looking for, and for the life of me, I haven’t noticed a change back there.

And by the way – “lower case n’s?”

FOUR:  LOSE BACK END

Sorry.  There really is no other way to describe what happens to the lady parts of a mature cow the week prior to birth.

It could also be called “SQUISHY RIPE VULVA”

Nice eh?

At least I know how to find a vulva.  It is the giant reddish-pink hole under the pooper-shooter where the baby comes out.  Talented aren’t I?

Well, my girl had a swollen, jiggly, pulsating vulva for 12 days before we had a baby cow.

FIVE:  DISCOMFORT

When the cow is in active labor you will notice her being unable to get comfortable.  She’ll lay down then get up, then lay down again and get up.

This could begin hours before the calf appears or minutes.

SIX: DISAPPEARING CALF

This one is kinda cool.  A few days (or hours) before birth the calf will move into the birth canal and your cow may not even look pregnant any longer.  That big pear-shaped belly will literally disappear and she will look as thin as she did before the Artificial Inseminator (or bull) showed up.

If your cow doesn’t look pregnant any longer, you may have a baby in a few hours or a couple of days.

This always startles me.  Even though no signs of live birth are present (blood, discharge, evidence on the backside of the cow) I still run to the woods looking for a baby when my cows no longer appear knocked up.

SEVEN:  COCKED TAIL

Once the cow is in active labor it is common to see her walking around with her tail cocked to the side, crooked or just being held higher than usual.

EIGHT:  BUBBLE

This is the best predictor!

Once you see the water bag protruding from your cow’s backside you can bet there will be a calf on the ground soon!

The bag comes first then a couple of tiny hooves and a nose.  If you see a tail instead of a nose – call your vet.

Most predictors can fool you (except for the bubble out the backside – that’s a sure thing).

The truth is, all cows are different and birth is a tricky thing to predict.

Here is the Fast Overview:

1. She may develop an enormous, tight bag a few days before calving OR they may not fill out until an hour before.
2. She may have a large strand of mucus a few hours before birth or they may drip clear discharge for weeks.
3. There may be loose ligaments around the pins.  That is if you know where the so-called “pins” are, can find them on your cow, and know what the heck they look like when she’s not giving birth.
4. Your cow’s vulva may swell, radiate and jiggle – or it may not change much at all.
5. You may notice your cow in discomfort or she may act normal until the hour of delivery.
6. And finally, you could observe a difference in your cow’s figure as the calf moves into the birth canal – or not.

So – go figure.

And another thing I’ve learned

Cows (I’m told) can go 2 weeks before or after their scheduled due date.

Furthermore, it has also been brought to my attention by numerous cow-loving enthusiasts that heifers (girls) are usually on time and bull-calves (boys) are usually late.

Some farmers from my parent’s generation say, “bulls need to bake longer – they’re always late.”

At the same time, dreams do come true because Daisy was 12 days late and she had a sweet little heifer.

If your cow is late – it could still be a baby girl!

Wishing you the best in your delivery and much congratulations!

More Great Information if your cow is about to calve:

• What to Expect when Your Cow Gives Birth
• Help! My Cow May have Mastitis

XO,

Candi