Gestation of Cattle

[Chuckie]

I found this information on "Answers.com" about Gestation of cattle that I thought I would share.
Chuckie

"On average, the gestation period or length-of-pregnancy of a cow is 285 days long. This is similar to the pregnancy period of a woman, which is closer to around 9 months or ~260 days.

However, actual gestation period of a cow can range from 270 days to 295 days, depending primarily on breed, age, body condition and nutritional health. Early-maturing breeds typically have a gestation period from 270 to 280 days. Late maturing breeds range from 285 to 295 days. And intermediate-maturing breeds range from 280 to 288 days of pregnancy. (See the related questions below for a list of breeds of cattle that are late-, early- and intermediate-maturing.)

Some rules of thumb to remember when trying to figure out how long your cows or heifers will be pregnant for:
•Heifers that are pregnant for the first time will most likely have a little longer gestation period than older, mature cows. This is typically because heifers are still growing themselves and have to put energy into growing a calf AND their own bodies, including the formation and maturation of their udder.

•Smaller cows will have a shorter gestation period than big cows.
•Cows with poorer fertility (or have a tougher time getting bred again after giving birth) will have a longer gestation period than those with good fertility (or those that have settled during the first part of the breeding season after a 45 to 60 day rest period).
•Late-maturing cows will have a longer gestation than early-maturing cows.
•Thin cows will have a shorter gestation than normal-condition cows, and fat cows may have a longer gestation than normal-conditioned cows.
•Females that have more masculine characteristics may have a longer gestation than those females that are more feminine in conformation. "

 

[wbvs58]

Interesting article Chuckie, but I don't remember seeing your photo up on the "Whatya look like" thread.
Ken

 

[ANAZAZI]

Where I live, the heifers have shorter gestation period than cows. The other things seem all right. :2cents:

 

[angus9259]

Where I live, the heifers have shorter gestation period than cows. The other things seem all right. :2cents:

Yeah, I disagreed with that point too. I thought it was commonly understood that heifers are shorter than cows?? I've also not seen a "thin vs heavy" cow difference except in the calf but not gestation.

 

[ANAZAZI]

Where I live, the heifers have shorter gestation period than cows. The other things seem all right. :2cents:

Yeah, I disagreed with that point too. I thought it was commonly understood that heifers are shorter than cows?? I've also not seen a "thin vs heavy" cow difference except in the calf but not gestation.

A fat three year heifer will carry longer than a thin two year heifer. And also have heavier calf.

 

[Chuckie]

wbvs58,
I did not see that thread, I went straight to this one, and missed it. I am anxious to check it out.

My first time heifer hit it right on her due date.
My heavy barreled "Nell," is holding out to her due date I guess. She is due on Thanksgiving day. I have kept a close eye on her since she is very uncomfortable. It was raining one day, and I saw some really odd things going on inside of her. I've never seen a contraction do the things I saw this day.. Last year she had a 100lb calf. and I am not sure if there are twins in the background or not. There are twins in the back ground of the sire. I would say that she has a feminine head and a masculine body????

I have had one cow that had a calf, but I do not know when she was bred; she came from my husband's farm and he does not keep up with the breeding.

The rest of the cows here, all I can do is wait and see how it goes. They are fat, feminine, and fertile.
Chuckie