Talk:Heifer

Definition
A Young Cow Before She Has Had Her First Calf. The web master dictionary defines a heifer as a cow that has not yet had a calf, this is incorrect. A heifer is a cow that has had 0 or 1 calf. Typically a cow is only considered a cow until she has had her 2nd calf. This is largely to do with credibility of the cow, by saying "she is a cow" you are saying that this animals has proven rearing capability. As a farmer it is more risky to buy animals that have not calved as most problems are in delivering and rearing the first calf. After she has had her second calf then she would be considered a reliable breeder and worthy of being called a cow. This is certainly the case where I farm in Somerset UK. I am not sure how this is in other parts. twopir (talk) 18:05, 30 July 2009 (UTC)


 * There are regional differences in usage. In some places, a female Bos primigenius is a heifer until she gives birth to her first calf, at which point she becomes a cow.  In others, this transition happens when her second child emerges.  But maybe there's an overlap in some circles.  I don't know. — Smjg (talk) 15:26, 31 March 2012 (UTC)

Removed picture
I removed the picture as it was supposedly a picture of a steer according to the description not a heifer as the page describes. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by StevenNZ (talk • contribs) 11:03, 14 May 2007 (UTC).

The heifer is a bull that has had its horns dulled and padded so that it cannot severely injure or kill anyone. They are commonly used in Spanish bullfights especially after the The Running of The Bulls in Pamplona during the Fiesta de San Fermin. After the bulls have run through the normal route, these "heifers" are let into the ring for amusement of the runners and the fans watching. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.167.54.114 (talk) 20:11, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Keep in mind that this is an english language encyclopedia and spanish definitions may not apply. Daniel.Cardenas (talk) 20:53, 3 February 2008 (UTC)