Know the Correct Gestation Periods of Livestock for Better Management

Pregnancy indicates a potential increase in the stock of your livestock. This, in most cases, is a delight of the farmer. Detecting pregnancy or estimating the gestation periods of your livestock are things the farmer must know.

In this piece, we look at how to do simple pregnancy or conception detection and the gestation period of various livestock.

Why is it important to know gestation periods?

1. It helps to plan ahead for the incoming stock.
2. You also get to know which of your stock is productive.
3. You are able to prepare and manage your resources well, like feed, space, and time.
4. It also helps to keep proper records of your livestock.

Read Also: How to Successfully Start Grasscutter Production Business; Complete Guide

Methods of Detecting Pregnancy in Livestock

Pregnancy can be detected by;

• The signs showed by the female animals and you can see this externally.
• The symptoms of pregnancy can be detected by examination e.g. vaginum examination.
• Laboratory tests carried out biologically or chemically.

Signs of Pregnancy

In the event of pregnancy, the animal shows various signs.

• The animal concerned tends to become sluggish in temperament and more tractable.
• Increase in body weight of the animal in the last half of pregnancy due to the development of foetus and hypertrophy of the uterus and mammary glands.
• The animal tends to grow fat.
• There are changes in the mammary gland; as parturition approaches, the mammary gland becomes firm, enlarged and glossy, teats have a waxy appearance.
• There is a cessation of oestrus (heat); cessation of oestrus cycle after sexual copulation is the first indication of pregnancy, and it is very reliable although the following should be considered.
  • Heat may be inhibited following mating due to hormonal dysfunctions.
  • The low intensity of heat may be overlooked and thus the animals may be thought to be pregnant.
  • Sometimes animals still show signs of heat even after they are pregnant.

Gestation Periods of Livestock

What is gestation?

Gestation simply means pregnancy or conception.

The gestation period is the time between conception to the time of giving birth. The gestation period differs from one animal species to the other.

The chart below shows the gestation periods of some livestock.