Question

[BULLFAN]

Has anyone ever flushed a heifer? I think this question was asked before. What might be the pro's or con's of this. Curious. Dr. Block are you out there?;)

[Embogen]

Most people recommend against flushing heifers because it can be a risky proposition. However, given the right conditions, heifers can be flushed. There are two important criteria for flushing a heifer. First, the heifer's age should be somewhere between 18-22 months of age, a little bit older than for normal breeding situations. Secondly, whoever is doing the flush work needs to be aware that the drug dosage has to be reduced by at least 30-50% compared to a mature cow. The primary danger of flushing a heifer is overstimulating her ovaries and causing damage that will affect her fertility later.

The advantage of flushing a heifer is that you get more offspring sooner than if you wait until after she's had a calf by natural breeding or AI. The disadvantage of flushing a heifer is that because you need to reduce the drug dose you will typically get fewer transferrable embryos per flush compared to mature cows.

My recommendation would be, if you have a heifer that you think has great potential for producing bucking stock and you think there is currently a market for her offspring that may not be there 2 years down the road, then consider flushing her. If that's not the case then I would breed her and let her have a calf before you flush her. Flushing is not something I would recommend for all heifers, just for select situations.

[Summerrain]

Jeremy
When you flush a heifer, does it mess her up for coming into a natural heat. Does it prolong that for her. I have heard that when you breed a heifer to young, after they calve it takes longer for them to come into heat again.

[billsummers]

Ed, I flushed a heifer this year and Jeremy did the flush. Like he said, you don't get the big numbers you sometimes hear with cows, but it is a way to jump start genetics. I was totally satisfied with the results and the way Jeremy explained the situation in advance. I woudn't do it all the time, but I'm glad I did this time.
We put 2 embryos in recips and they both are going.
Rock N Rolll / Nightlife Daughter

[vickersbuckers]

^

[highstakes]

How many times a year & how offten can a heifer/cow be flushed?:confused:

[snakeriverrodeoco]

How many times a year & how offten can a heifer/cow be flushed?:confused:

that just all depends there are alot of factors involved

[highstakes]

what are the factor's? and what is a ballpark #?:cool:

[XFFARMS]

Listen to what Dr. Block is saying. I flushed a heifer this year, For a heifer, the flush turned out very good. But I will not do a heifer again. The egg numbers are lower. I will let them have a calf first. Each time you flush a cow, the numbers will decrease. My vet recommends not to flush a cow more than three time between calves.



William Vance
connell, wa
509-989-1666