Printable calving and birth calendar
Track mating dates, estimated birth dates and actual outcomes on a free blank A4 sheet. Keep the estimate separate from the observed birth. Use this planning sheet for cattle, sheep or goats, noting the species, service date and care instructions beside each animal.
Print at actual size on A4 paper; use fit-to-page in the printer preview if needed. Fill in the single-page sheet and keep it on your farm.
Fields on the sheet
- Animal ID / species
- Mating / insemination date
- Assumed gestation days
- Estimated birth date
- Actual birth date
- Offspring ID(s)
- Notes / observer
Use the estimated date for preparation; birth may be earlier or later. Record the actual date separately and keep care instructions with the calendar.
How do I separate an estimate from an observation?
Start each row with the mother’s ear tag and species. Copy the recorded mating or insemination date, then note the gestation length used to calculate the estimated birth date. Keeping the assumption on the same row explains why that date appears on the calendar. Write the actual birth date only after the event has been observed or reliably reported. Keep the original estimate and the actual birth date in separate fields so the plan and outcome remain easy to compare.
What if there was more than one mating?
Retain the individual mating or insemination records rather than choosing a convenient date from memory. Ask your veterinarian which record should be used for pregnancy planning when the history is uncertain. Keep every service date with its own notes and record pregnancy confirmation separately, then choose the date used for planning. If a different gestation length is used for a particular animal or breed, record its source and reason so everyone can follow the calculation.
How do I use the calendar during handover?
Review the upcoming rows with the people responsible for observation and preparation. Add the observer’s name or initials and a brief factual note when handing over work. Keep offspring identities alongside the mother’s identity after birth, especially for twins or larger litters. A missing number is a reason to check the record, not to invent one. Record the outcome according to what actually happened, and keep any veterinary report with the farm’s other animal documents.
How can I plan preparation with the sheet?
Use the calendar for observation and preparation; keep pregnancy confirmation and the animal’s care instructions with the dated records. Contact a veterinarian for health concerns or difficulty during birth. For a calendar estimate, use the gestation tool and copy both the input and its assumption to the row. Add any planned check as a separate reminder inside the app, then compare its date with this sheet. Add the relevant record or reminder in HerdMobile yourself, then verify the saved animal and date before relying on it for routine farm organisation.