The question of how many days after calving a cow will start walking is not as clear as it seems at first glance. In some individuals, when hunting, obvious signs of the beginning of this period appear, and pregnancy occurs immediately, in others no external manifestations are noticeable. For “quiet cows,” instrumental methods are used to determine the start of heat.
How many days after calving does a cow begin to walk?
The answer to the question of exactly how many days after calving a cow will begin to walk lies in the conditions under which the animal is kept, its nutrition and state of health. In the absence of diseases and postpartum complications, a balanced diet and proper care, hunting begins 30-60 days after calving.
Estrus lasts from 2 to 6 days; the cow needs to be covered 9 hours after the start of active estrus, which lasts about 18 hours. At this time, the animal’s vulva becomes red and swollen, and mucus is released from it, so it is not difficult to recognize this period.
Many are also concerned about the question: how many days after calving can a walking cow be covered if insemination is unsuccessful? This happens if the animal takes too long or the mating time was chosen incorrectly. To expect an annual litter, animals need to be bred in the next cycles after calving.
Definition of hunting
You can understand that a cow is ready for insemination by the following signs:
- the animal raises its tail up and arches its back at the sight of a bull;
- motor activity increases;
- recent estrus;
- the external genitalia become red and swollen;
- the heifer becomes fearful and restless, often moos and behaves unconventionally;
- the ligaments on the sides become soft to the touch;
- mucous discharge can be observed from the uterus;
- loss of interest in food.
In first-calf heifers, during the first 2-3 cycles it can be difficult to determine readiness for insemination, since all signs of the onset of heat can occur almost unnoticed.
In such cases, to determine readiness for mating, the following are used:
- instrumental method - mucus is taken from the vagina for analysis;
- an electronic estrus detector inserted into the animal’s vagina;
- pedometry is a special device for measuring physical activity that is attached to the neck.
Important! The surest way to ensure a cow is ready for breeding is with test bulls. When the heifer begins to heat, they react acutely to her smell and begin to “court” her. The cow's behavior in hunting changes - she shows interest in the bulls, stands in front of them without moving and arches her back.
Why doesn't a cow come into heat?
The reasons why an animal does not walk lie in physiological changes in the body:
- pregnancy;
- long recovery time after calving, which can be recognized by weight loss;
- hormonal imbalance caused by poor nutrition or sudden changes in diet;
- presence of infection in the body;
- pathology of the musculoskeletal system or internal organs.
What to do if the cow does not walk
In order for the animal to become ready for mating, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of refusal to hunt. If a cow is having a hard time recovering from calving, you need to add vitamins and minerals to the daily diet, and also review the daily amount. It must be remembered that obesity, along with underweight, equally negatively affects the animal’s readiness for mating. To increase the tone of the heifer’s body, she must be forced to take daily walks. You should also take care of the flooring in the barn - it should not be slippery.
If necessary, the cow's uterus and ovaries are massaged. Strictly prescribed by a veterinarian, hormonal medications can be used to stimulate heat. For preventive purposes, approximately a week after giving birth, the heifer's reproductive organs are examined for possible pathologies.
