Highland cow 8 months pregnant? stomping

[Highland_coos]

Hello,

I am a smallholder new to farming. We have 3 highland cows which are potentially in calf.

I’ve caught one our cows (who would be ~8 months if in calf) stomping a few times over a few minutes and moving and swaying generally looking a bit uncomfortable.

She did have a calf last year. She has no signs she’s near calving.

Just wondering if this is something cows do later in pregnancy. Or can other factors cause this behaviour. It has been very hot too.
Thanks in advance.

 

[sticky]

Calf moving around giving her a kicking would be my take on it.

 

[Highland_coos]

Thanks for your reply. Was hoping it was a calf

 

[Jackov Altraids]

It could just be she's being irritated by flies but if she is "Gwain roun like a cow gwaina calf", then that will be what she is going to do!

 

[David1968]

Keep an eye on her. It could be a premature calf.

Or, if you're not 100% sure she's definitely in calf, she could be coming bulling.

 

[Highland_coos]

Thanks for responses. They are just starting to get bothered with scratching so I’m going to do a spot on top up.

I did wonder about premature. She pawed at the ground the other day which concerned me. If the calf comes 4 weeks early, what are the survival rates?

I’m pretty sure she’s in calf. We’ve had the bull here since September and the last time he was near her was 1st October putting her ~10th July.

She was still producing milk for last years calf up until March so isn’t as big as she was at 8 months as a heifer.

 

[Welderloon]

Check her for mastitis.
Could be just uncomfortable with the calf moving & heat, if there are flies then you have a mastitis risk.