7-months pregnant - is there a way to feel the calf?

[Alison]

I have a 7-month pregnant heifer. I'm trying to see if I can feel the baby move or kick, but I don't know where to feel on her body. Any help? I'm surprised there isn't more on the web about this.

Thanks!

 

[jhm47]

You can easily feel it rectally. That's how the professional "preg checkers" do it.

 

[Goatgirl47]

At seven months along, I can 'bump' our cows, and feel the calf. Sometimes they kick back.

Here is a link that shows you how: http://familycow.proboards.com/thread/26032

 

[WildRoseBeef]

How tame is she? If she's tame enough to let you touch her, you can put your hand down on the right side of her, down on the belly (not her left side because that's where the rumen is located and you won't be able to feel anything except the rumen contracting), and feel for any movement from the fetus. Bumping is also done, as Goatgirl mentioned, with just a firm sudden movement into the lower belly (but not so hard that it will hurt momma) and leave your hand in place to see if anything solid comes back on your hand.

If anything, rectal palpation is also an option but you need to restrain the cow to have that done because no cow's going to stand still to let you (or the vet) slide your hand up her bum, no matter how trusting or tame she can be!