Is this a mucus plug?

CB901

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First time heifer on day 284, bag is starting to fill. Not sure what this is, it was leaking fluid but then she urinated and it filled with urine and washed out to the ground. Still eating and acting fine, ligaments seem the same as the last month.
 

farmerjan

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Looks like it could be. Many times they will actually pass a few of these as things start to loosen up inside... not actually "the" mucus plug. I have had heifers especially , that have a similar discharge for days before calving. She bears watching closer... 284 days is getting up there... If you don't see any activity, you might want to get someone who is well versed in cattle, or a vet, to do a rectal to feel if the calf is close up into the right position... what breed/cross is she and what is she bred to? Different breeds carry for different lengths of time.... but in the 280's is about what you want... bull calves are "usually" carried a few days longer....
 

CB901

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I’m sorry I’m new and had no idea anyone replied! She is still pregnant,she is Angus Charolais cross bred to Simmental. She is acting fine but lots of mucus.
 

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farmerjan

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She is definitely more puffy/swollen like she is getting closer. I don't see alot of an udder and even though she is all beef ; no dairy, she ought to be making a little bit of an udder. Are you absolutely sure of her breeding date?
Simmentals are known to carry a little longer... and even chars are a little longer 285 and 286 days as average... I think angus is 283 average.... and going 10 days over is not considered the end of the world... although heifers usually carry a little less than cows...
You will find that you will get responses fairly soon from someone on here... and those of us that have cattle try to help out since more of the members have smaller ruminants and therefore more people to chime in. Stick around, this is a fairly active group... we will celebrate your successes and cry with you over your failures... and laugh at all the blunders we all make.... :thumbsup :hit:celebrate:hide:th:welcome:welcome
 

CB901

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Here is a picture of her udder. The pins feel less tight than they have been. She is still eating and acting normal. I appreciate all of your info and getting back to me. I am looking forward to learning. I bottle raised her and another heifer, my first calf though. I am a little nervous. I am watching her like a hawk and we have a 24/7 vet about 8 miles away if anything looks wrong.
 

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CB901

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I am sure of the date. My brother brought his bull over and Seen her cycle and he breed her. Maybe it’s a bull calf just taking his time?
 

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farmerjan

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Yeah, probably a bull calf waiting .... and waiting..... and waiting.....

Because you used a simmental bull on her, watch her close.... they tend to throw big calves unless your brother's bull is an "easy calving bull" meaning he has the numbers to show he will throw smaller calves.... if she goes into labor, and is not making progress in a reasonable amount of time, you will want to make sure the calf is in the right position, and that she is dilating, and don't wait for hours to help her... If your brother brought the bull over, I am assuming he has some knowledge/experience....
I am not being critical.... or judging.... just don't want you to wait too long to help her along if necessary. I don't believe in interfering... but heifers are a bit trickier and you don't want to wait and then have worse problems... if in doubt, call your brother, or call a vet....better a vet bill than losing the heifer or the calf.
 

farmerjan

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Well, that is good if he said that bull threw low birth weight calves. So he sounds like he knows what he is doing....and sounds like you will be able to call him to help.... Keep him on speed dial.....;):hide

You will probably go out and find her with the calf standing next to her sucking away... Sure hope that is the scenario for you. :fl:fl:fl
 

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