Some heavy milking cows will have strutting of the teats as much as two or three days before calving and on the other hand, a thin poor milking cow may calve without strutting of the teats. Strutting of the teats is not very dependable. These changes are signs the producer or herdsman can use to more closely pinpoint calving time. However, relaxation of the ligaments can be seen very clearly in thin or moderate body condition cows and can be a clue of parturition within the next 12 – 24 hours. The relaxation of the pelvic ligaments really can not be observed in fat cows, (body condition score 7 or greater).

The casual observer or even the veterinarian who is knowledgeable of the signs but sees the herd infrequently cannot accurately predict calving time from these signs. These can be fairly dependable for the owner that watches his cows several times a day during the calving season. The immediate signs that usually occur within 24 hours of calving would be relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and strutting of the teats. Some people mistakenly think this happens immediately before calving, but in fact this can be seen weeks before parturition and therefore is only another sign that the calving season is here. It may be seen pooling behind the cow when she is lying down. This is a very thick tenacious, mucous material hanging from the vulva. Typically, in the immediate 2 weeks preceding calving, springing becomes more evident, the udder is filling, and one of the things that might be seen is the loss of the cervical plug. Most people notice that Brahman influence cattle seem to spring much more than does a Holstein. The springing can be highly variable too.

The first calf heifer, particularly in the milking breeds, develops udder for a very long time, sometimes for two or three months before parturition. There is much difference between individuals in the development of these signs and certainly age is a factor. These indicate the cow is due to calve in the near future. Changes that are gradually seen are udder development, or making bag, and the relaxation and swelling of the vulva or springing. As the calving season approaches, cows will show typical signs that will indicate parturition is imminent.

Going bovine