Ever heard the word 'heifer' and wondered what it meant? It may not sound much like a cow, but that's what it is – a member of the bovine family.
Or, to be more precise, a heifer is a female cow, beef or dairy, that hasn't given birth to a calf. Actually, that's not quite right either...
Technically, a heifer isn't a cow until it has given birth. Only once they have dropped their calf are upgraded to a cow.
Female calves are known as 'heifer calves' and a pregnant heifer is called a 'bred heifer', while one that is about to give birth is called - rather aptly - a 'springing heifer'. They usually give birth to their first calf when they are two years old.
The gestation period is about the same as a human – nine months – and heifers and cows usually give birth to just one calf, although twins are known.
If it's a dairy heifer giving birth, the calf is usually removed from its mother within 24 hours; if it's a beef calf, it stays with its mother until it's weaned at about six months.
The word heifer is pronounced 'heff-er'.
- Guide to British cattle breeds: common breeds and how to recognise them
- Highland cattle guide: what they are, where they live and how to see them
- How dangerous are cows to walkers?
- Where does milk come from? The story of milk from cow to glass
Main image: beef heifer/Credit: Getty
