Signs of impending calvingin beef cows under various feeding and housing conditions

Abstract

Research data on the signs of impending calving in late pregnant cows of Ukrainian beef breed under various systems of housing and feeding are presented in the paper. Tie stall housing provides for earlier development of calving signs in cows three weeks prior to calving. Cervical plug is dissolved 5,1 days prior to calving, dilatation of pelvic ligaments occurs at 3,1 days before calving, udder edema – 5 days, vulva extension – 7,5 days prior to calving. Those signs develop later in grazing conditions. Cervical plug is dissolved 2,0 days prior to calving, dilatation of pelvic ligaments occurs at 2,3 days before calving, udder edema – 2,5 days, vulva extension – 0,9 days prior to calving. As compared to cows, heifers develop calving signs earlier.