Hereford Heifer 13 days overdue no udder yet

[jrs4440]

I have a hereford heifer that was AI'd on the 31st of August 2012. She was confirmed safe to the AI on December 30th 2012. That puts her due date roughly the 12th of June 2013. I know that they can go past due and that I am not worried about. However she has very little milk production in her udder and is not very loose in her back end. I had the vet out to palpate her last Friday and the calf's feet are directly on the other side of the cervix and the calf is still alive. He said just wait it will be anyday but here we are almost 5 days later and still nothing except a HUGE belly.

We do have a herd bull but she was not exposed to him until 6 weeks after AI breeding date. The vet said Friday that if she slipped the AI and our bull got her that the calf wouldn't be in the position it is in and he would have been able to tell that age difference when he preg checked her in December.

Does anyone have any thoughts or anything? She is a heifer that is worth a good bit of money and I don't want to lose her or the calf since we bred her to an excellent bull (calving ease by the way).

 

[inyati13]

I know the place you are in. I have been there a couple of times in the last 3 years due to bringing in bred heifers to build my herd. In every case I finally got past it and, praise the Lord, I came out fine in each case. I would not mess with her too much and I know that is coming from someone who does. I would be a little concerned if she is not making a bag to some extent by now. Maybe she is making more than you think. Good luck, I sympathize with you.

 

[KNERSIE]

Leave her be she settled on the bull's service not AI.

 

[jrs4440]

I am just so frustrated because the vet is telling me one thing but her signs are saying something completely different in my opinion... And the calls foot is the size of my palm, woul have to measure that to give an accurate size I guess but to me that is pretty close to full term size, not 4-6 weeks left.

 

[EllieJ]

Milk can come in over night. Might want to force birth.

 

[wbvs58]

Yep, my money is with the bull too.
Ken

 

[Putangitangi]

Outside date for the AI would have been 17 June. She's in calf to the bull. Leave her alone, she's not due yet!

 

[jrs4440]

That is why I am so frustrated all her signs point to our herd bull but then you have the vet saying the hooves are right at the cervix which they wouldn't be if she still had 4 weeks to go. Is there any other reason that calf would be in position that early?? The vet preg checked another heifer the same day in December an had her spot on. She just calved last night. I am just a mess over her

 

[chippie]

agree with the give her time folks.

has she started showing any other signs of impending parturition?

 

[jrs4440]

Other than the tail head ligaments loosening, nothing, well and the massive belly

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

Leave her be. Sounds like she is bred to the bull, and if you induce like someone suggested you could very well end up with a premie. Mother Nature knows what is best. Let Her do her job, she is much more efficient. Just be ready IF she does need assistance.