The timing of the signs of impending birth vary from cow to cow, jerry. Some cows are easier to spot signs on, and some don't give you a clue. Most of ours calve within a week or two after the pinbones become prominent.
For many years our oldest cow would lose her mucous plug, then calve within 12 hours. Year after year, we could depend on the 12 hour timing. The past 4 years, though, she has lost her mucous plug about 7 or 8 days before calving. Healthy calves and a good mama, though.
> Thanks. She doesn't seem to be in
> labor. No broken water bag or
> anything protruding. Hips are
> somewhat pointed but I never saw
> these signs so early ahead of
> calfing in the past. Like I said
> originally, it's been about a
> week. My earlier experience w/
> calfing is that once the hips drop
> we are looking at w/i a day.