Choose the species and the breeding date to get the expected due date, the normal birth window and a calendar of key milestones, from pregnancy checks to setting up the birthing pen. Covers livestock, horses, camelids and small pets.
Last updated:
days
If bred over several days, enter the last date to widen the window.
Enter your values to see the result.
Advertisement
Advertisement
How to use the Animal Gestation Calculator
Choose the species, or Other to type your own gestation length.
Enter the breeding date, and the last breeding date if the animals were together several days.
Press Calculate due date to see the due date, normal range and today's progress.
Use the milestone calendar to plan pregnancy checks and when to set up the birthing area.
Copy or download the calendar to keep with your herd records.
Gestation periods of common animals
Average length and typical normal range in days from breeding to birth. Individual animals and breeds vary.
Animal
Average
Typical range
Birth is called
Young
Cow
283 days
276–290
Calving
Calf
Horse
340 days
320–370
Foaling
Foal
Donkey
365 days
340–395
Foaling
Foal
Goat
150 days
145–155
Kidding
Kid
Sheep
147 days
142–152
Lambing
Lamb
Pig
114 days
111–117
Farrowing
Piglet
Llama
350 days
330–370
Birthing
Cria
Alpaca
342 days
320–365
Birthing
Cria
Rabbit
31 days
28–35
Kindling
Kit
Ferret
42 days
41–43
Kindling
Kit
Dog
63 days
58–68
Whelping
Puppy
Cat
65 days
61–70
Queening
Kitten
Guinea pig
68 days
59–72
Birthing
Pup
Camel
390 days
370–410
Calving
Calf
How the due date and window are calculated
Due date = breeding date + average gestation days. For example, a doe bred on March 1 with a 150-day gestation is due July 29 (in a non-leap year). The normal window adds the shortest and longest typical gestation to the breeding date: 145–155 days gives July 24 to August 3.
If the male ran with the female for several days, enter the first and last breeding dates. The window then runs from the first date + shortest gestation to the last date + longest gestation, so you won't be caught out by a late conception.
Tips for tracking pregnancies
Record every breeding date and watch for a return to heat about one cycle later (around 17–21 days in most livestock). No heat is an early sign of pregnancy.
Confirm with a vet. Ultrasound, palpation or blood tests confirm pregnancy and, in sheep and goats, can count fetuses so you can adjust feeding.
Feed for late pregnancy. Most fetal growth happens in the last third of gestation, when nutrition needs rise the most.
Prepare early. Have the birthing pen clean and your supplies ready before the earliest date in the window, not the average date.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a goat pregnant?
Goat gestation averages about 150 days, with most does kidding between 145 and 155 days after breeding. Smaller breeds such as Nigerian Dwarf can be at the shorter end.
How long are sheep, pigs and cows pregnant?
Sheep average about 147 days (142–152), pigs about 114 days (often remembered as 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days), and cattle about 283 days (roughly 276–290 depending on breed and calf sex).
How long is a horse pregnant?
Mares average about 340 days (around 11 months), but a normal range is wide, roughly 320–370 days. Donkeys carry longer, around 12 months.
How is the animal due date calculated?
Add the species' average gestation length to the breeding date. The normal window is the breeding date plus the shortest and longest typical gestation. If breeding happened over several days, the window runs from the first date plus the shortest length to the last date plus the longest.
What are the names for giving birth in different animals?
Cows calve, horses and donkeys foal, goats kid, sheep lamb, pigs farrow, dogs whelp, cats queen, and rabbits and ferrets kindle. Llamas and alpacas give birth to a cria.
Are these gestation lengths exact?
No. They are typical averages and ranges; breed, litter size, age, nutrition and the sex of the offspring all shift the real date. Watch for signs of labor around the window and contact a veterinarian if an animal goes well past the latest normal date.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.