hi our cow is due to calf sometime this month.she has had a clear mucus discharge for about a week(not alot just a little)but yesterday there was alot more and it was yellow looking,my question is does anyone know how long after this till she calves?she is also puffy back there, the reason i'm asking is because last time she had twins and lost them both, so i want to be there in case she has problems. thanks cindy

-- cindy young (cin_sue63@webtv.net), April 06, 2001

Answers

Our highlands will stream mucous for a week, sometimes a little longer. There is swelling that accompanies this. Generally it will get thicker and more copious when it gets close. Sounds like she is about ready. Good luck, Jean

-- Jean in Ky. (dandrea@duo-county.com), April 06, 2001.

The mucus increase is a good indicator. Other are: going off by herself if she is on pasture; laying down and getting up frequently, perhaps even checking behind her each time; trying to lick herself under her tail and bagging up noticeably.

If twins, make sure each one has an equal chance at the clostrum, perhaps separating the calfs until both can stay on their feet and then plugging one in on each side.

If twins, and a male and female, chances are over 90% the female will be a freemartin (sterile).

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), April 06, 2001.

what ken said is the best answer. one more thing our cows tail at the back between the hips goes up. Lexi

-- lexi Green (whitestone11@hotmail.com), April 06, 2001.

When our cow was due, someone told us to look at the area between the hip and tail bone. It will start to sink in, kinda concave looking. When it looks like this, they will calf within a day. I don't know if all cows do this, but ours did.

-- Lena(NC) (breezex4@go.com), April 06, 2001.