What are the signs of estrus in cows, and what should be noted when estrus is abnormal?

A cow refers to a female bovine, which can produce milk and bear offspring. And for a cow to bear offspring, it must come into estrus and be fertilized, so what are the signs of estrus in cows? What should be noted when estrus is abnormal? Farmers everywhere should look carefully!

What are the typical signs of estrus in cows:

1. Early estrus. When a cow first begins estrus, the symptoms are bellowing, leaving the herd, walking along the exercise yard, trying to approach other cattle; mounting other cattle; the vulva is mildly swollen, the mucosa moist and flushed; sniffing the hindquarters of other cattle, unwilling to accept being mounted by other cattle; milk production decreases.

2. Peak estrus (lasting about 18 hours). Its characteristics are standing to accept being mounted by other cattle, mounting other cattle; frequent bellowing, excitement and restlessness; poor appetite or refusal to eat; decreased milk production.

3. The period when estrus is about to end. The cow shows refusal to accept being mounted by other cattle, sniffing other cattle; trying to mount other cattle; normal appetite, milk production rising again; possibly discharging mucus from the vulva.

The symptomatic changes throughout the estrus period are a gradual process, and the duration of estrus varies between individuals. The suitable mating time should be shortly after the cow enters late estrus. Based on experience, generally if estrus occurs in the morning, mate in the afternoon; or if estrus occurs in the afternoon, mate the next morning. In summer when the weather is hot, the mating time should be appropriately earlier, and in winter slightly later. For old and weak cows, the duration of estrus is shorter and ovulation is early, so they should be mated early; for young cows, the duration of estrus is longer and ovulation is late, so they should be mated late. Usually, with proper mating, one insemination is sufficient; only when delayed ovulation is diagnosed by palpating the follicles through rectal examination is a second insemination needed.

What issues should be noted when cow estrus is abnormal:

When a cow does not come into estrus at the time it should, delaying mating, it will cause economic losses to the farmer. The causes of cows not coming into estrus are varied, including disease factors, nutritional factors, environmental factors, etc. Farmers should carefully check the condition of the cow, and in particular should note the following issues:

1. Poor feeding management, the cow is too thin or too fat.

2. Has previously had conditions such as retained placenta, metritis, vaginitis, and ovarian cysts.

3. Poor quality feed in the daily ration, crude protein too high or too low, lack of certain trace elements (selenium, zinc, etc.) or vitamins A, E, etc.

4. Poor management, the cattle shed is damp and cold, insufficient drinking water, lack of exercise.

5. Incorrect methods of assisted delivery and breeding insemination, failure to disinfect when examining the vagina, etc.; improper operation methods can damage the vaginal and uterine mucosa. This causes bacteria to enter opportunistically or leads to traumatic reproductive organ diseases.