How to tell if a cow is pregnant by hand palpation, and after how many months does the udder enlarge?
AbstractObservation can be carried out about 1 month after the cow is mated. If the cow is pregnant, then there are clearly 3 blood vessels directly above the pupil, which will become congested and then protrude above the surface of the iris, appearing purplish red. Or open the cow's mouth and look at the fleshy pads on both sides under the tongue. If the color is found to be bright red, then it indicates that the cow is already pregnant. Generally, for a cow giving birth for the first time, after 3-4 months of pregnancy, the udder and teats can be seen gradually enlarging.
I. Methods for identifying pregnancy in cows
1. Looking at the eyeball
Generally, the eyeball method is still relatively accurate. Observation can be carried out about 1 month after the cow is mated. If the cow is pregnant, then there are clearly 3 blood vessels directly above the pupil. These blood vessels are usually thin and not visible when observed, but if pregnant they will become congested and then protrude above the surface of the iris, appearing purplish red, making them easy to identify.
2. Looking at behavior
When a cow is in estrus, it often becomes excited and restless, and will also bellow loudly, showing signs of poor appetite. Some cows will also keep circling the pen and have a relatively irritable temperament. The duration of estrus in cows varies. After mating following estrus, there will be no estrous behavior, the temperament will also become relatively gentle, appetite will greatly increase, and the hair will be relatively glossy. Generally, when it is determined that pregnancy has occurred, behaviors such as increased feed intake, faster fattening, and longer rest time will appear.
3. Looking at the mouth
Like looking at the eyeball, looking at the mouth is a relatively accurate method of determination. You can open the cow's mouth and then look at the fleshy pads on both sides under the tongue. If the color is found to be bright red, then it indicates that the cow is already pregnant. If it is light red or pink, it indicates that it is not yet pregnant.
4. Looking at the tail
A cow's tail generally hangs down vertically in a normal way. If it is a cow that is already pregnant, its tail is slightly偏向 to the side, rather than hanging down naturally and vertically. This method is relatively simple and easy to carry out, and as long as one observes carefully, the accuracy rate is still very high.
5. B-ultrasound
If conditions permit on the farm, 1 veterinary B-ultrasound machine can be equipped. After 1 and a half months after the cow is mated, it can accurately determine whether it is pregnant. At the same time, it can also carefully observe the growth status of the fetus, and then take corresponding measures.
II. After how many months of pregnancy does the udder of a cow enlarge
1. Signs after a cow becomes pregnant: from the outside, the cow no longer comes into estrus, its temperament becomes gentle, its food intake increases, it becomes fat and its coat is glossy. At the same time, due to the development and growth of the fetus, the volume of the uterus increases and squeezes the internal organs to the right side of the abdomen, causing the cow's external body to show shallower and faster breathing, and an increased frequency of urination and defecation.
2. Generally, for a cow giving birth for the first time, after 3-4 months of pregnancy, the udder and teats can be seen gradually enlarging. After 7-8 months, the enlargement is relatively obvious, and then colostrum will be secreted. In the later stage of pregnancy, the udder will swell, and the teats will also become hard.