Colorado Agriscience Curriculum

1
Colorado Agriscience Curriculum

• Animal Science
• Unit 4 Reproduction and Genetics
• Lesson 6
• Heat Detection

2
What is heat?What is standing heat?
(Unit 4 Reproduction and Genetics, Lesson 6 Heat
Detection T.M.A)

• Heat Signals the time of ovulation and
  determines proper timing of insemination.
• Standing Heat Best indication of estrus. It is
  when the female stands still when mounted by a
  male or another female. Do not breed a female
  you think is in estrus until you actually see her
  ridden while she stands completely still. If she
  is the one riding it is not an indication of
  standing heat.

3
Secondary signs of heat
(Unit 4 Reproduction and Genetics, Lesson 6 Heat
Detection T.M.B)

• Cattle Cows are checked for estrus twice daily,
  in the morning and evening. Secondary signs
  include restlessness, attempting to mount other
  cows, and a clear, mucous discharge from the
  vagina. Do not breed a cow until you actually
  see standing heat, though. Secondary signs may
  just be leading up to estrus.
• Swine Gilts and sows secondary signs of heat
  include a red, swollen vulva, odd sounds and odd
  odors.

4
Signs of Standing Heat
(Unit 4 Reproduction and Genetics, Lesson 6 Heat
Detection T.M.C)

• Cattle Standing heat is exactly what it sounds
  like it is in cattle. The cow stands to be
  ridden by another cow in the herd, or if
  naturally bred, the cow stands to be ridden by a
  bull.
• Swine Gilts and sows in standing heat assume a
  rigid stance with ears erect when hands are
  placed firmly on their backs.

5
Common Heat Detection Aids
(Unit 4 Reproduction and Genetics, Lesson 6 Heat
Detection T.M.D)

• Cattle
• Chin Ball Marker This device is worn beneath
  the detector animals chin, consists of a dye
  reservoir with a steel ball valve attached with
  a strong leather halter. Leaves a giant mark
  on the ridden cows back and rump.
• Androgenized cows Females used to detect heat
  that have
• been injected with testosterone to
  stimulate them into exhibiting male-like
  behavior.
• Kamar This plastic device is glued to the
  tailhead of cows
• eligible for breeding. Prolonged
  pressure from the mounting
• animal turns the white detector red.

6
When to inseminate livestock after observation of
standing heat
(Unit 4 Reproduction and Genetics, Lesson 6 Heat
Detection T.M.E)

• Cattle 12 hours after standing heat. So a cow
  found in standing heat in the morning should be
  inseminated in the evening of the same day.
• Sows Insemination is recommended at the end of
  the first day and at the beginning of the second
  day of estrus.