First Cycle

[bizybeehill]

At what age can you expect t o see a heifers first cycle ??

 

[*Cowgirl*]

Ours usually start at about 7 months, but i've heard of heifers cycling, and getting bred, at 4 months.

 

[jcarkie]

what breed are you talking about? it depends on breed.
10-14 months is average. angus can cycle at 6 months, brahman can be 18 months. they should be bred at 15 months to calve at 2 years old.

 

[warpaint]

Condition would also be a factor.

 

[Susie David]

We're still waiting for a little Herf heifer that Susie couldn't leave behind (went to buy steers) to cycle was skinny with a hay belly when we brought her home. A healthy worming and three months of good groceries made her look like a respectable little heifer....only the hay belly hasn't completely gone away and she was about six or seven months when we stuffed her in the trailer....been trying to tell myself that she is a high capacity cow, not an early bred.
Our angus heifers usually start cycling right at ten to twelve months (winter) and we breed at fifteen mo.
Just my two bits worth....Dmc

 

[cowpunk'd]

Even with close observation you can sometimes miss a heifers standing heat, if she happens to be low in the pecking order she might not dare to jump another cow, or seek attention from another cow. Not a problem if you have a bull with the herd.