If you were wondering what animal does not give birth to a calf, you likely already know that cows and some related bovine species give birth to calves. However, there are many animals that do not produce calves.

To satisfy your curiosity, read on for a comprehensive guide to animals that do not calve.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Animals like horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, and chickens do not give birth to calves. Only female bovines like cows, buffaloes, bison, yaks, etc. give birth to babies called calves.

Defining What a Calf Is

The Offspring of Bovines

A calf is defined as the young of domestic cattle, or bovines. This includes animals like cows, bulls, oxen, bison, and buffalo. Calves are produced after a 9 month gestation period and weigh an average of 55-100 pounds at birth.

Newborn calves will stand on their own shortly after birth and begin nursing almost immediately. They are weaned from their mother’s milk at 6-9 months of age on average.

Calves grow quickly, gaining 2 or more pounds per day early on. In 8-10 months they reach an age and weight suitable for beef production or to be trained and put to work. Some calf breeds like Holsteins are bred specifically for dairy production.

Their milk helps make products like cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream.

Differences Between Other Animal Babies

While calves are the official term for cattle offspring, each animal species has their own specific baby names. For example, baby horses are called foals, baby pigs are piglets, baby deer are fawns, baby dogs are called puppies, baby cats are kittens, and baby chickens are referred to as chicks or chicks.

Even baby humans have their own special name – we call our offspring babies or infants!

Sometimes the terms can get confusing. Baby bison are called red dogs and baby moose are referred to as moose calves. Baby rabbits are kits while baby hares are leverets. Regardless of the exact terminology, most animal babies share common developmental milestones like gaining the ability to stand, walk, eat solid foods, and reach full adult size.

Animal Baby Name
Cows Calf
Horses Foal
Pigs Piglet
Deer Fawn
Dogs Puppy
Cats Kitten
Chickens Chick
Bison Red Dog
Moose Moose Calf

As the table shows, calves are specifically and only the young produced by cattle (cows). So while many baby animals have cute nicknames, if it’s not born from a bovine it’s not a calf!

Animals That Do Not Calve

Horses

Horses do not give birth to calves. Instead, a female horse (mare) gives birth to a foal. Foals can stand and nurse shortly after birth, but take some time to gain their balance and strength. On average, horse gestation lasts around 11 months and the mare gives birth to one foal.

Foals are able to eat solid food after a few weeks, but continue to nurse from their mothers for 6-8 months. Horses are amazing animals that form strong bonds with their offspring.

Sheep

Sheep are another animal that does not calve. Rather than calves, female sheep (ewes) give birth to lambs. Lambing season is in the springtime and ewes typically give birth to 1-3 lambs after five months of pregnancy. Newborn lambs can stand and nurse quickly after birth.

They continue to nurse until they are weaned at around 4-5 months old. Sheep make excellent mothers and their lambs love to frolic in the fields. What an absolutely adorable sight!

Goats

Goats are closely related to sheep and also do not produce calves. The term for a baby goat is a kid. Goats typically give birth to 1-3 kids each spring after a five month pregnancy. Kids are able to stand, nurse, and even walk within minutes of being born!

They are weaned by their mothers at around 3-4 months of age. Goats are very nurturing and protective of their lively kids. Seeing kids bouncing around with their mothers is such a heartwarming thing.

Pigs

Pigs are another animal that does not calve. Female pigs, called sows, give birth to piglets rather than calves. Sows have a gestation period of 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days on average and typically deliver between 6-12 piglets per litter. The piglets can walk and feed shortly after birth.

They are weaned by the sow at around 2-4 weeks old. Piglets love to huddle together for warmth and comfort. Watching a litter of piglets snuggled up is simply adorable.

Dogs

Man’s best friend, the dog, is another animal that does not produce calves. Instead, a female dog (bitch) gives birth to puppies following a gestation period of around 63 days. Litters typically consist of 3-12 puppies.

Puppies are born blind and helpless but quickly progress to walking, seeing, hearing, and nursing within 2-3 weeks. Puppies continue to nurse until they are weaned at around 3-7 weeks old. Seeing a pup snuggled up with its mother melts your heart.

Cats

Cats are incredibly popular pets that also do not give birth to calves. Rather, a female cat (queen) delivers kittens after a pregnancy lasting about two months. Queens usually give birth to litters of 3-5 kittens.

Kittens are born with closed eyes but rapidly develop sight, mobility, and ability to nurse within two weeks. They are weaned from their mothers at around 6-7 weeks old. Watching kittens playing and bonding with their mother is a purr-fectly adorable thing.

Chickens

Lastly, chickens do not produce calves. Instead, female chickens (hens) lay eggs that hatch into chicks. Chicks hatch from their eggs after an incubation period of around 21 days. Newly hatched chicks are covered in fluffy down and able to stand, walk, feed, and follow their mothers shortly after emerging.

Chicks grow rapidly, reaching full size in 5-6 months. Seeing a mother hen caring for her chicks is a heartwarming sight.

Why These Animals Do Not Produce Calves

Not all animals give birth to calves. Cows, buffaloes, yaks, and bison produce calves, but there are several reasons why other animals do not:

Different Reproductive Strategies

Many animals have evolved different reproductive strategies that do not involve giving birth to live young. For example:

  • Chickens and other birds lay eggs that hatch outside the body.
  • Reptiles like snakes and lizards lay eggs that they often abandon after laying.
  • Fish and amphibians reproduce by spawning, releasing eggs and sperm into the water.

For these types of animals, producing calves inside the body would not align with their reproductive biology and egg-laying or egg-depositing strategies.

Different Terminology

The term “calf” specifically refers to the young of cattle or cattle-like animals. Other animal species have their own terminology:

  • Deer and antelope have fawns
  • Horses have foals
  • Elephants have calves
  • Dogs have puppies
  • Cats have kittens

So for a deer or horse, a young one would never be called a calf – they have species-specific names.

Different Gestation Periods

The gestation period, or length of pregnancy, also varies between species:

Cows 9 months
Horses 11 months
Elephants 22 months
Dogs 2 months

Animals like mice have much shorter gestation times of 3 weeks. The varying gestation times show that each species has adapted its reproduction to fit its ecological niche and lifestyle.

Marsupials and Monotremes

Marsupials like kangaroos give birth to highly underdeveloped young after short gestation periods. The tiny newborn must complete development attached to a nipple inside the mother’s pouch. Monotremes like the platypus lay eggs, but the eggs are retained inside the mother’s body until they hatch.

Then the mother produces milk to feed the hatchlings. Neither marsupials nor monotremes produce calves.

When Female Bovines Give Birth to Calves

Gestation Period for Cows

The gestation period for cows, also known as the pregnancy length, is about 9 months or 285 days. This is the time it takes from conception until birth for a cow to carry her calf to term. Here are some fascinating facts about the cow gestation period:

  • The average gestation length can range from 279-292 days depending on the breed. For example, Angus and Holstein cows average 280 days while Brahman cattle average 290 days.
  • First-time heifers (a female cow that has not given birth before) tend to have a slightly longer gestation length than mature cows.
  • Cow pregnancies are often grouped into trimesters. The first trimester is 0-3 months, second is 4-6 months, and third trimester is 7-9 months.
  • The cow’s due date is calculated about 283 days from the day she was bred. However, only a small percentage of cows deliver on their actual due date.
  • Monitoring the cow’s pregnancy using ultrasound can help predict when she will give birth. Physical changes like udder development and relaxation of pelvic ligaments also indicate the birthing time is nearing.

In the final days and hours before birth, known as calving, clear signs indicate the calf is ready to be born. The cow may become restless, have a sunken hip area, and stringy mucus discharge. Knowing the gestation period and calving signs helps farmers be prepared for the big event!

Common Calving Seasons

There are two main seasons when most cows give birth to calves: spring and fall/early winter. The timing allows calves to arrive when conditions are favorable for survival and growth.

  • Spring calving season is from March to May when the weather begins warming up and new grass growth provides plentiful nutrition for lactating cows. Spring-born calves can take advantage of mild weather and lush pastures during their early months of rapid growth.
  • Fall/early winter calving takes place between September and December. The bulky winter coats that calves grow provide insulation against cold weather. Calves born in the fall months are older and heartier when they must face extreme winter conditions.

The calving season a producer chooses depends on several factors like climate, breeds raised, marketing goals, labor availability, and management style. Most aim for compact calving periods of just 2-3 months rather than year-round calving.

Synchronizing birthing makes it easier to monitor cows, assist with difficult births if needed, and implement effective health programs for cows and calves. Ultimately, the timing of calving season allows newborn calves the best chance to thrive and grow into healthy, productive members of the herd.

Caring for Newborn Calves

Providing Colostrum

Providing adequate colostrum is one of the most important things you can do to get your newborn calf off to a healthy start. Colostrum contains antibodies and nutrients crucial for developing the calf’s immune system and gastrointestinal tract.

To ensure the calf receives enough high quality colostrum, it’s recommended to feed at least 3-4 quarts within the first 6 hours of life. Continue feeding colostrum for the first 24-48 hours. Test colostrum quality with a Brix refractometer. Aim for colostrum with over 22% Brix.

Store extra high quality colostrum frozen in case future need arises.

Keeping Them Warm and Dry

Newborn calves are susceptible to hypothermia, so keeping them warm and dry is essential. Prepare a draft-free, deeply bedded calving pen prior to birth. Immediately after birth, dry the calf off vigorously with clean towels.

Consider using a calf jacket or heat lamp if temperatures are extremely cold. Provide thick, dry bedding and shelter from wind, rain, and snow. Monitor the calf’s temperature – normal is 101-102°F. If below 100°F, begin warming efforts immediately.

Monitoring Their Health

Closely monitor the newborn calf during the first weeks of life. Check for normal breathing, umbilical healing, urine/feces output, suckling reflex, and activity level. Weigh the calf periodically to ensure adequate growth. Watch for common health issues like scours, pneumonia, naval ill, etc.

Be prepared to consult a veterinarian if the calf seems under the weather. Provide vaccinations on schedule – typically viral respiratory vaccines at 1-2 months old. Deworming and clostridial vaccines may also be required. Keep detailed records of treatments and weight gain.

With attentive management in those early days, you can get that calf started out on the right hoof.

Conclusion

In conclusion, only female bovines like cows, buffaloes, bison, and yaks give birth to babies called calves. Other animals like horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, and chickens produce their own species-specific offspring terms.

Understanding what a calf is and isn’t can prevent confusion when breeding and raising livestock.

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