What tips should I keep in mind?

Start increasing cow nutrition 60 days before calving — fetal growth accelerates in the last trimester. Heifers typically calve 3-5 days earlier than mature cows. Use calving-ease bulls on heifers to reduce dystocia.

Calving Date Calculator

Calculate expected due date from breeding date for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and horses based on species-specific gestation periods.

Results

Visualization

How It Works

Gestation length varies by species: cattle 283 days, sheep/goats 150 days, swine 114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days), horses 340 days. Knowing due dates allows you to prepare facilities, adjust nutrition, and plan labor.

The Formula

Due Date = Breeding Date + Gestation Period (days)

Variables

Cattle — 283 days average (range: 275-290). Bull calves tend to gestate 1-2 days longer.
Sheep/Goats — 150 days average (range: 144-155). Breed in fall for spring lambing.
Swine — 114 days — the classic "3-3-3" rule: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days.

Example

Cow bred June 15, 2026: due date = March 25, 2027 (June 15 + 283 days). Window: March 17 to April 1.

Tips

Start increasing cow nutrition 60 days before calving — fetal growth accelerates in the last trimester.
Heifers typically calve 3-5 days earlier than mature cows.
Use calving-ease bulls on heifers to reduce dystocia.
The "3-3-3" rule for swine: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days = 114 days.
Keep breeding records — knowing exact dates prevents missed calvings.