How to Raise a Pregnant Cow? Detailed Explanation of Key Feeding and Management Techniques

Summary Early pregnancy: Because the embryo grows relatively slowly, feeding should not make the cow too fat; simply feed according to the standard for the non-pregnant period. Mid-to-late pregnancy: Because the embryo's growth and development accelerate, especially in the last 2-3 months, the amount fed must be increased to provide sufficient nutrition. You can appropriately add 1-2kg of concentrated feed to the usual feed, which helps promote the healthy growth and development of the embryo.

I. Feeding and Management of Pregnant Cows

1. Early pregnancy

The nutrients a pregnant cow takes in must meet her own growth needs and the embryo's growth needs, and also build up nutritional reserves for lactation after calving. In early pregnancy, the embryo grows relatively slowly and the required nutrients are relatively easy to meet, so at this stage feeding should not make the cow too fat; generally, reaching the standard for the non-pregnant period is sufficient. If the cow is fed too fat, it will cause abnormal embryonic development.

2. Mid-to-late pregnancy

In mid-to-late pregnancy, the embryo's growth and development gradually accelerate, especially in the last 2-3 months. At this stage, the amount fed needs to be increased to provide sufficient nutrients and promote embryonic growth and development. In addition to normal feeding, 1-2 kg of concentrated feed should be added daily, and it can be reasonably matched according to the cow's actual condition, but overfeeding should be avoided, as it can easily cause dystocia in the cow.

II. Do a Good Job of Protecting the Fetus

1. Signs of miscarriage

During pregnancy, if feeding and management are improper, a cow can easily miscarry. Generally, in early pregnancy, the main signs before miscarriage are mucus flowing from the vagina, constantly looking back at the abdomen, and restlessness; after early pregnancy, the main signs before miscarriage are swelling of the mammary glands and repeatedly assuming a urination posture.

2. Separate feeding

If miscarriage occurs, it will not only reduce the future calving rate but also cause physical damage to the cow. Therefore, to prevent miscarriage, during breeding, pregnant cows need to be raised separately from other cattle to avoid miscarriage caused by collisions for certain reasons.

3. Feed fresh feed

The feed given during breeding must be fresh; moldy and spoiled feed must not be fed. The cow's exercise amount also needs to be increased to strengthen her physique and avoid dystocia caused by excessive fatness, but note that exercise amount should be controlled in early pregnancy.

III. Prevent Postpartum Paralysis

1. Causes of paralysis

Postpartum paralysis in cows is a common phenomenon. It is caused by low blood calcium levels in the cow's body. If paralysis occurs and is not treated promptly, it will cause great harm to the cow and can cause death in severe cases.

2. Preventive measures

To prevent miscarriage in cows after calving, preventive measures need to be taken during breeding. First, reduce the proportion of rice straw in the feed of pregnant cows, because during pregnancy, if a large amount of rice straw is fed, it can easily cause postpartum paralysis in cows. In late pregnancy, feed with a relatively high content of calcium and phosphorus substances can be appropriately added to meet the nutrition needed for the cow's growth.