{"id":3378,"date":"2021-05-13T15:07:47","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T15:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innogando.com\/2021\/05\/13\/how-to-detect-heat-in-cows\/"},"modified":"2025-06-24T13:04:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T13:04:38","slug":"how-to-detect-heat-in-cows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innogando.com\/en\/2021\/05\/13\/how-to-detect-heat-in-cows\/","title":{"rendered":"How to detect heat in cows?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is estrus?<\/h2>\n

We have talked about colostrum <\/a>and how to proceed after calving<\/a> to take advantage of all its properties, but this is the end of a long road. For all this to happen, a gestation<\/strong> must first take place, either by artificial or natural insemination <\/strong>, and we must be attentive. <\/p>\n

As in humans, animals also have periods of increased sexual receptivity.<\/strong> A cow is said to be in heat when her sexual receptivity increases, in order to facilitate copulation.<\/p>\n

This occurs approximately every 21 days<\/strong>, and can vary from 18 to 24 days<\/strong> between oestrus and oestrus, and lasts between 12 and 18h<\/strong>, although it can also vary between 8h and 30h.<\/strong><\/p>\n

During estrus, estrogen production increases,<\/strong> so that it becomes the predominant hormone until ovulation<\/strong>, which occurs between 10 and 12 hours after<\/strong> the end of estrus.<\/p>\n

\"Ratio
Ratio of average times between reproductive events (adapted from Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to detect heat in cows?<\/h2>\n

Behavioral changes<\/h3>\n

Mounting tolerance<\/h4>\n

When a cow is in heat, her behavior <\/strong>is affected and it is essential to differentiate and know the most characteristic <\/strong>signs of this state. The most evident is the tolerance to mating<\/strong>, since, as we have said before, her sexual receptivity increases. Therefore, when it is time to be mounted, the cow will remain immobile<\/strong>, with the spine arched, the hindquarters slightly raised <\/strong>and the tail deviated<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Secondary signs<\/h4>\n

Tolerance to mating<\/strong> is the only sure sign of estrus.<\/strong> Then, there are other signs that vary in duration and intensity and may occur before, during or after<\/strong> estrus.<\/p>\n

While they are not as reliable as mounting tolerance, they can be used as clues to keep a closer eye on a particular cow<\/strong> and see if she does, in fact, become immobile in the face of a mounting attempt. Some of them are: <\/p>\n