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Post by Sherry on Feb 21, 2008 22:15:00 GMT -5
I have a cow that last Saturday had looked to have strung and was as loose as she could be. I had to laugh at my youngest son and the middle son's girlfriend, because they both stood behind her and told her to cough. They were ready to catch the calf. Anyway, on Monday, she was no longer loose and pink. I had seen her mess with her sides, but as of now, still no baby. She had delivered a calf just over a year ago. The calf seemed to be full term and healthy from her previous owner and breeder, but it was not alive when found. I know she will deliver when she is ready and have had other farmers state they can string up to two weeks before delivery. I am hoping I am just getting anxious. She is acting normal and eating and drinking tons.
Sherry
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Post by cowsmowmygrass on Feb 26, 2008 12:05:09 GMT -5
Not familiar with the term 'string up'. please explain.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 26, 2008 20:06:34 GMT -5
I guess this is just a term I had grown up with. You are not the first one to ask. Basically, what it is, is when they seem to lose the mucus plug. There is a mucusy string that hangs down normally about 6 - 8 inches and indicates that the calf is soon to be arriving.
I am hoping I was, or maybe I should say wasn't right with the stringing. As of today, still no calf. It will be two weeks this Saturday that I saw the "string". I have heard they can go up to two weeks, so am not worrying too much now. She isn't on the property, but the property owner is constantly out with the cattle and watches them like a hawk. I think he is as crazy about my cattle as I am.
Sherry
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Post by christinat on Mar 3, 2008 15:52:58 GMT -5
As a female prepares to deliver you will notice draining at 2 months before calving, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, 3 days and the day before. I watch for the telltale signs of filled teats, and the tail switching that helps relax the cartilage bridge between the pin bones and the tail head. when the bridge is completely gone calving typically occurs within 12 hours. the cartilage re-stiffens in a day or so after calving. Cows can soften more quickly than heifers, so I pay particularly close attention to them as they don't always make a full udder before calving.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 5, 2008 20:49:26 GMT -5
Well, went back out to where the whites are again today, they are on leased land, and Thea is bagging up and her tail looked broke from the angle I was at. Crossing my fingers that a healthy new one will be on the ground soon!!
Sherry
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Post by Sherry on Mar 12, 2008 20:20:07 GMT -5
Ok, I am officially wanting to go crazy. Little Cate is now over a month old, and still, the next arrival still hasn't made an appearance. I think she is trying to put me in the nut house by not delivering.
Sherry
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Post by gwenger on Mar 12, 2008 21:25:46 GMT -5
Sherry.............I know how you feel when you are expecting one and it just dosen't come......frustrating.
Ours are calving pretty fast now and hope to have about 30 on the ground by the end of April.
Glenn
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