When is My Cow Due? (+ free printable)

14/3/2015

Did you know that Jersey pregnancies are five days shorter than the average cow? That's right! The average cow is pregnant for 283 days, but the average Jersey cow is pregnant for 278 days.

"The normal gestation period of the dairy cow is 283 days. Based on studies made by the Ohio Experiment Station, however, it is evident that there is variation among breeds. The following figures show the gestation period by breed, as found in this experiment: Ayshire, 278 days; Brown Swiss, 288 days; Guernsey, 283 days; Holstein, 279 days; and Jersey, 278 days. The Ohio station also reported (1) that the gestation period of first-calf heifers is about 2 days less than that of older cows of the respective breeds, and (2) that the gestation period where bull calves are born is about 1 day longer than where females are born." ~M.E. Ensminger, Dairy Cattle Science

Since there are five heifers and cows calving on Birdsong Farm in the next five months, I figured this was a good time to share my gestation calendar, which I've custom designed for Jerseys.

The first column, Breeding Date, is the date that your heifer or cow is bred. The second column, Cow Due Date, is the date that your cow is due, while the third column, Heifer Due Date, is the date that your heifer is due. The fourth column, Dry Off Date, is the date for your cow's final milking if you are giving her a 60-day dry period.

For example, I bred Birdsong Princess Diana, a heifer, on June 20th, so she will be due on March 23rd. I bred Birdsong Autumn Aster, a cow, on September 22nd, so she will be due on June 27th and I will want to dry her off by April 27th to give her a 60-day dry period. Click on the images below to take a closer look.

I trust that this gestation calendar will make it easier for you to calculate the due dates for your Jersey heifers and cows, keeping in mind that since cows and heifers do not read very few will actually calve on their due date! (A range of 7 days before to 7-14 days after the due date is typical.)

Leave a comment below and share where in the world you farm and what breeds of cattle you raise.

5 Comments

Milkmaid Lorinda, North Woods Homestead link

15/9/2016 09:30:38 am

We breed and raise Mini, Midsize, and Standard Jersey milk cows for small farms and homesteads. We're located in the far north mountains of Idaho. I often share this link and thought it was about time I left a formal "thank you!" Your gestation calendar is the closest for Jerseys we have found. Thank you for making it publicly available.

Naomi Fournier link

27/9/2016 10:37:50 am

It's nice to meet another milkmaid and learn about your homestead and lovely Jerseys. I'm happy that the gestation chart that I created for myself is beneficial for you and your milk cow buyers.

Pam Heath link

27/7/2017 08:04:57 am

Appreciate your efforts with the gestation info. RBC is the equivalent to your TLC, the Livestock Conservancy.
We milked 200 Channel Island cattle in the UK before emigrating to Manitoba 36 yrs ago. Mostly Guernsey's, supplementing with Jerseys as the numbers dropped.
Now I volunteer with RBC, helping to network & connect folks... anything to help keep our low numbers of heritage farm livestock from extinction. Thanks again. Pam.

Paula Carlson

1/1/2019 08:03:34 am

I see your chart only goes to the end of Sept. for breeding dates, am I missing a page? Our jersey, Molly, was AI on Oct.16, so her due date is when?

Naomi De Ruiter link

24/8/2019 10:14:50 am

I'm so sorry I didn't see your question before now. Your cow's due date was July 21st if she was bred on October 16th.

The complete gestation calendar, with breeding dates from January 1st to December 31st, is sent via email. You'll need to enter your name and email address in the box in the post and click the purple 'Send me the calendar!' button to receive it.

CowTales

When is My Cow Due? (+ free printable)

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