Bred Heifer?

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Spot & Bubby

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I was hand feeding a set of cows (cubes) after checking water last night. 6-8 regular takers, including my bred heifer, Spot, (my first), and there were a few that come up, but won't take. One kept pushing my heifer around to get closer, then she'd chicken out, but kept pushing on Spot. Spot held her own and got her cubes.

I looked up as I was latching the last gate out and saw that cow riding my heifer. I'm sick over it. Sick to my stomach. Heartsick. Spot was among the heaviest bred at palpating time, and I was so proud. I just don't know what I'm going to do if she lost her calf. I'm so upset.

She should be due to calve in about three weeks with a 60 day window for the herd. I'm a nervous wreck.

Just wanted to share that.
 
Cows will ride pregnant heifers, although it's not common.

If it will put your mind at ease, have the vet re-check her. If you can chalk it up to "probably not a problem" and wait and see, then do that.

If I had the 'bred heifer' myself, the only concrete reason I would need to know at this time is "if she is bred, I'm waiting until she calves. If she is not bred, I'm putting her on the truck tomorrow to save feed costs (or trying to breed her immediately)". Another reason for me to know would be peace of mind, which counts for something.

It's been discussed on CT before:

 
Some years I notice dozens and dozens of bred cow/heifer mountings usually in the 1-2 months leading up to calving. My assumption is their hormones getting all out of wack. When I first started it worried me as I feared lost pregnancys, but that hasn't turned out to be the case.
 
Thanks to all who commented. You gave me some peace of mind. I didn't mention, although some of you may know, that I don't have my own place and that I receive the fall calf of my choice as an annual bonus for my work on the ranch. The ranch kept three replacements from Spot's class plus two huge bottle babies they held back a year to breed. One of the six got real squirrelly after selection, so she went to McDonald's. Spot and the remaining enjoyed the best of everything before being turned out and we looked forward to a nice group of calves... Until we were told only 2 bred up and the rest were already on the trailer. I was a little scared that she didn't make it.

I have second guessed my choice for selecting Spot a number of times because I was emotionally drawn to her and her slightly odd color, spot not included. I've worried that she might be "lesser" because of her color, even though I was also attracted to her temperament. As a calf, she always seemed to position herself to be noticed, but she was also calm and curious, but not too much of either. Basically, I picked her because I loved her, even before I knew about the calf bonus. Probably not good business sense. But she's turned out to be a do-gooder, my "land hippo," and I think she even knows she's mine now. She'll always be my first calf, heifer, and (Lord willing) cow. Her calf will be another first. If I ever have my.wn ranch, I'll call it Spotted Heifer. Can't have that without Spot! Because Lord knows I picked my second calf according to ALL the right selling points!

I apologize for getting all sentimental. On a practical note, I sat out in an 11° wind chill and watched her a good long time this morning... No one is still trying to ride her, so I think we're good.

Can you bump her?
I don't think I know what you mean by that. Can you explain, please?
 
Thanks to all who commented. You gave me some peace of mind. I didn't mention, although some of you may know, that I don't have my own place and that I receive the fall calf of my choice as an annual bonus for my work on the ranch. The ranch kept three replacements from Spot's class plus two huge bottle babies they held back a year to breed. One of the six got real squirrelly after selection, so she went to McDonald's. Spot and the remaining enjoyed the best of everything before being turned out and we looked forward to a nice group of calves... Until we were told only 2 bred up and the rest were already on the trailer. I was a little scared that she didn't make it.

I have second guessed my choice for selecting Spot a number of times because I was emotionally drawn to her and her slightly odd color, spot not included. I've worried that she might be "lesser" because of her color, even though I was also attracted to her temperament. As a calf, she always seemed to position herself to be noticed, but she was also calm and curious, but not too much of either. Basically, I picked her because I loved her, even before I knew about the calf bonus. Probably not good business sense. But she's turned out to be a do-gooder, my "land hippo," and I think she even knows she's mine now. She'll always be my first calf, heifer, and (Lord willing) cow. Her calf will be another first. If I ever have my.wn ranch, I'll call it Spotted Heifer. Can't have that without Spot! Because Lord knows I picked my second calf according to ALL the right selling points!

I apologize for getting all sentimental. On a practical note, I sat out in an 11° wind chill and watched her a good long time this morning... No one is still trying to ride her, so I think we're good.


I don't think I know what you mean by that. Can you explain, please?
She carries the calf on her right side (rumen on the left) can you bump your hand against her behind the ribs and feel the calf.
 
I often have bred cows/heifers mount each other expecially the closer they get to calving.


Or just about anything else. I posted this pic a few years ago. This is Junecow. A little confused at this time, but she is on her third calf this year.
 

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Proving dominance?
Not necessary... There are hormonal changes going on and it seems that often times heavy breds will do some riding... see it in some dairy... bulls and steers will also pay more attention to the heavy bred one.
I had a jersey cow that I bred AI... about 2 months later she was confirmed preg... she went on to have "psuedo heats" and would stand for others to ride her... re checked her twice after that during routine preg checks... she was always preg to correspond with the first breeding... finally just said she will either calve or not... she did right on time... AI jersey calf...
If you see nothing else but the standing, no blood, no discharge, nothing... don't panic. Might just be the hormonal changes as her body gets closer to calving.
 
I get in trouble for comparing "humans to cattle" all the time, particularly from my wife... but I can tell you that when she was pregnant, especially in that last month before giving birth, she became quite interested in "interactions" with me... It was an enjoyable time in our lives for both of us, in many ways!
 

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