Too young... but

Gather App
Limomike

Limomike

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 14, 2006
Messages
4,132
City & State/Province
Oklahoma
I had my bull bust through one of my fences, and breed one of my young heifers I have been holding back for a replacement. The trouble is, she is only 14 months old. Anyone else have a heifer breed that young? If so, what am I to expect?
I was trying to keep them apart until she was at least 18 months old.
 
We frequently breed at 14 months alwasy by 15 months. If the heifer is well enough grown out and this is the bull you had planned on breeding her to there should n;t be any big deal.

dun
 
thanks Dun. Yes, it was the bull I was planning on breeding her to. I wasnt sure if she would be too young, and might have to pull the calf. She has grown out, and has a good "rear end" on her.
 
It's whats "inside" of the rear end that is the concern. I've seen very wide hipped cows with liny pelvic openings and narrow hipped cows with giant openings.
We've all seen large framed cows that can barely squeeze out a cantalope and smaller framed ones that can pass a bus sideways with no problem.

dun
 
Just because she was with the bull, doesn't mean she will get bred, might be a good thing if she isn't of good size yet, etc..

GMN
 
No problem if the heifer has adequate pelvic size and the bull isn't a pallet headed, shovel shouldered monster. At what age were you planning on breeding her before the bull jumped the gun so to speak? We generally turn the heifers out with the bull when they're 14 months old - I want a calf on the ground by the time they're 2.
 
Limomike":1i97vm7w said:
I had my bull bust through one of my fences, and breed one of my young heifers I have been holding back for a replacement. The trouble is, she is only 14 months old. Anyone else have a heifer breed that young? If so, what am I to expect?
I was trying to keep them apart until she was at least 18 months old.
Click to expand...

We routinely breed heifers at 14 or 15 months of age. Assuming the bull was an acceptable heifer bull, you should have no problems come calving time, except the usual ones.
 
Limomike":385mcb4y said:
Anyone else have a heifer breed that young? If so, what am I to expect?
I was trying to keep them apart until she was at least 18 months old.
Click to expand...
If you're worried that she can't have the calf, then give her a shot of lutalase. That'll abort the calf and she can breed a few mo. later.
 
Well thanks for all the advice and opinions. I would never consider aborting, since she is a good, well rounded heifer. From the sounds of what you all say, she should do well in having the calf. (If the breeding "took")
I typically dont like to breed until they are around 16-18 months, but I may turn them out a little earlier from now on.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top