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
βSince 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. β
βThe 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.
βFor 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.
19 Comments
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.
Reply
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.
Reply
Appreciate your efforts with the gestation info. RBC is the equivalent to your TLC, the Livestock Conservancy.
Reply
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?
Reply
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.
Reply
Suzanne
6/12/2019 06:03:35 pm
Please send the sue date calendar
Reply
6/12/2019 07:42:38 pm
You've been sent an email from milkmaid@naomisbirdsongfarm.ca asking you to confirm your subscription. If it's not in your inbox, check in your spam folder.
Reply
Deborah Deren
5/7/2020 08:28:32 pm
Thanks for the Jersey calculator! I’m a missionary in the Maasai Mara, Kenya and we’ve recently started a dairy program. We now have 5 beautiful Jerseys and 3 calves.
Reply
6/7/2020 05:31:48 pm
You're welcome! Praying for success for your new dairy program and good health for your beautiful Jerseys!
Reply
Moriah Aviso
8/8/2020 06:57:43 am
Souris, ND! Have a registered Jersey! She calved on July 3rd! She’s cycling today, so I came to check the due date chart! I hand milk once a day :)
Reply
24/8/2020 10:09:27 pm
Before meeting my husband, I calved seasonally, so I always checked for the due date before breeding! I preferred calving in spring and autumn, and avoided the winter months since our Canadian winters (it looks like your winters can be very similar) are a tad chilly for calving without an enclosed barn.
Reply
Roger Morris
15/12/2020 03:54:11 pm
Thank you for sending the jersey gestation calendar. My family and I have a small farm in South Mississippi. My two older kids show registered purebred jersey cows in the local 4H. We are also considering trying to a product on the local market. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for you time.
Reply
Fred Hayes
29/10/2021 06:05:57 am
Thank you
Reply
Chris
17/2/2022 02:48:39 am
Please send me a gestation calendar
Reply
Summer
29/4/2022 07:56:50 am
This spring I acquired two midsize Jersey heifers. Unfortunately, one yearling got out last summer as a calf and found a bull of unknown origin on August 1st. She is getting close to calving. However, given her age and that it was probably an Angus bull I'm concerned she will have trouble calving. Could you send your gestation table? Also, do you have any thoughts if she will be earlier given the situation?
Reply
Thanks for the table. It has been 50 years since I had a jersey herd and needed my memory jogged a little. We have two first calf heifers bred to Scottish longhorn that will calve the middle of august. Just need the third one today. Our website tells the whole story!
Reply
Allan
27/7/2022 11:54:52 am
Hoovesandfeathers.com
Reply
Vonda
20/5/2023 04:23:46 pm
Pleasesend me a gestation calendar. I have one Jersey just for family milk cow. This will be her second calf. She was already bred when I bought her last year. We had plenty of milk for us and the calf. Also butter. Tganks
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
January 2020
|