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Cow gestation calculator

Enter the date your cow or heifer was bred or inseminated to see her calving due date, the window most cows calve in, and when to check, dry off and prepare. Or work backwards from the day you'd like a calf.

Every milestone date, not just the due datePlan backwards from the date you wantAdd the dates to your calendar

Dates stay on your device. Nothing is sent or saved.

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Expected calving date
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Earliest likely–
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Your timeline

    Never miss the due date.

    Log the breeding in Flockwell and it counts down to calving and reminds you when she's close.

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    How long is a cow pregnant?

    Cows are pregnant for about 283 days, a little over nine months. Most calve between day 279 and day 287. Breed shifts this by a few days: Jerseys tend to calve a little earlier, while Brown Swiss and some continental beef breeds often go a week or so longer. Heifers and cows carrying bull calves can run slightly longer too.

    The calculator counts 283 days from the breeding or AI date. For cows run with a bull, use the date you saw her mated, or the middle of the time they were together.

    Cow gestation chart

    Due dates for breeding on the 1st and 15th of each month, using 283 days. Print this page to keep it in the barn.

    Bred onDue around
    1 Jan11 Oct
    15 Jan25 Oct
    1 Feb11 Nov
    15 Feb25 Nov
    1 Mar9 Dec
    15 Mar23 Dec
    1 Apr9 Jan
    15 Apr23 Jan
    1 May8 Feb
    15 May22 Feb
    1 Jun10 Mar
    15 Jun24 Mar
    Bred onDue around
    1 Jul9 Apr
    15 Jul23 Apr
    1 Aug10 May
    15 Aug24 May
    1 Sep10 Jun
    15 Sep24 Jun
    1 Oct10 Jul
    15 Oct24 Jul
    1 Nov10 Aug
    15 Nov24 Aug
    1 Dec9 Sep
    15 Dec23 Sep

    Signs the birth is close

    Weeks before

    • Udder starts to fill, especially in heifers
    • Belly drops
    • Vulva begins to swell

    Days before

    • Udder full, teats look shiny and waxy
    • Ligaments by the tail relax and the tailhead rises
    • Clear, stringy discharge

    Hours before

    • Restless, separating from the herd
    • Tail raised, lying down and getting up
    • Water bag appears, then straining

    When to call for help

    Call a vet if she strains hard for about an hour (30 minutes for a heifer) with no progress after the water bag appears, if the calf is coming the wrong way, or if she's weak, down, or can't get up.

    Questions

    How long is a cow pregnant?

    About 283 days, or just over nine months. Most cows calve between 279 and 287 days after breeding, depending on breed and the calf.

    When can I check if my cow is pregnant?

    A vet can usually confirm pregnancy by ultrasound or palpation from about 30 to 35 days after breeding, and blood tests work from about 28 days.

    When should I dry off my cow?

    Dairy cows are usually dried off about 60 days before calving to let the udder rest and get ready for the next lactation.

    When should I breed for spring calves?

    Count back about nine months and a week, or use the "plan backwards" option above to get the breeding date for the calving date you want.

    More free tools

    Free calculatorWhen will my eggs hatch?Free calculatorGoat gestation calculatorFree calculatorSheep gestation calculator

    These calculators give typical dates for planning. Individual animals vary, so watch for signs and ask a vet if anything seems wrong.