I wondered if I could ask for some advice please.I expect that the answer may already be on the Discussion board but I have sore eyes from reading so much already ! ( and have found it all very fascinating and informative)
I have 3 cows with 6/7 month old calves at foot - all heifer calves , one 18 month old heifer and a bull running out with them all including a 2 year old steer ( but no ,I'm not hoping for him to be served :p )
The bull was put in with them all in September and I have seen him serve the young heifer and 2 of the cows, I have not seen him serve the remaining cow with calf, however I am not watching then morning , noon and night !!
What I would like to know is , when should I remove the bull , if at all in case he hasn't served the last cow (he can be put somewhere with the steer) and when should I wean the calves.
In the past I have not had a bull here so we have allowed the calves to wean naturally , usually a short while before the new calf is born.My concern is that I do not want the bull harrasing the 6/7 month old heifers calves and is it safe for the bull to be around at calving ??
The bull is not related to any of my stock .
Thankyou in anticipation
taking bull out/ weaning advice please :-))
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
Hello Dominc,
Your heifer calves are now of an age that they could be cyciling, so probably best to separate the bull now,and watch the cows for signs of season. If you cannot do the watching too regularly why not use some of the heat detectors or tail paint which are easily applied to the rump, and if another cow mounts you will see the evidence. You could run the heifer with the steer and bull if you want to be sure she does not come back bulling. Presumably the heifer will be with you longer than the steer if he is already two. The bull could be with the heifer till she is close to calving. With a bit of luck one of the cows will calve first and he can go in with her after a week or two - I am just thinking of how to have company with him through the year.
In general I do not like having a bull with calving cows but sometimes it is difficult not to. Bulls vary but some can be very determined to mount newly calved cows and at calving the pelvic ligaments are all slack and much more prone to injury, that is why I like to avoid the situation. It is also probably safer for you yourself if cows or calves need attention - difficult enough avoiding jealous mothers without dad getting involved.
It does get very complicated trying to keep the number of different groups down to a minimum - sometimes there seem to be more groups than there are cattle in the herd!! I juggle with the numbers all the time with my massive herd of 8 -10, further complicated by the fact that some of my small grazing bits are not suitable for bulls, being in paddocks in front of 5 star guest house. No roaring allowed before breakfast etc.
Your heifer calves are now of an age that they could be cyciling, so probably best to separate the bull now,and watch the cows for signs of season. If you cannot do the watching too regularly why not use some of the heat detectors or tail paint which are easily applied to the rump, and if another cow mounts you will see the evidence. You could run the heifer with the steer and bull if you want to be sure she does not come back bulling. Presumably the heifer will be with you longer than the steer if he is already two. The bull could be with the heifer till she is close to calving. With a bit of luck one of the cows will calve first and he can go in with her after a week or two - I am just thinking of how to have company with him through the year.
In general I do not like having a bull with calving cows but sometimes it is difficult not to. Bulls vary but some can be very determined to mount newly calved cows and at calving the pelvic ligaments are all slack and much more prone to injury, that is why I like to avoid the situation. It is also probably safer for you yourself if cows or calves need attention - difficult enough avoiding jealous mothers without dad getting involved.
It does get very complicated trying to keep the number of different groups down to a minimum - sometimes there seem to be more groups than there are cattle in the herd!! I juggle with the numbers all the time with my massive herd of 8 -10, further complicated by the fact that some of my small grazing bits are not suitable for bulls, being in paddocks in front of 5 star guest house. No roaring allowed before breakfast etc.
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Thankyou very much Duncan.
I fully understand and appreciate your sound advice.I have now removed the calves and they are safely in a nice dry barn with a fresh straw bed , not yelling , they know when they are well off !!!
I am sending the steer off before May so can leave bull with him and as you say will hopefully have someone he can be with.I didn't think it would be a good idea to leave them all together at calving but have been so impressed with their ability to all get on even when they are not having S.#.X , unlike horses !!!! I am , like many people , looking to buy some steers to fatten for our own consumption , as we were very fortunate in having 3 heifers in 2005 , which is of course fab when you are wanting to build your herd up but a bit of a bummer when you want something for the freezer each year !!
I fully understand and appreciate your sound advice.I have now removed the calves and they are safely in a nice dry barn with a fresh straw bed , not yelling , they know when they are well off !!!
I am sending the steer off before May so can leave bull with him and as you say will hopefully have someone he can be with.I didn't think it would be a good idea to leave them all together at calving but have been so impressed with their ability to all get on even when they are not having S.#.X , unlike horses !!!! I am , like many people , looking to buy some steers to fatten for our own consumption , as we were very fortunate in having 3 heifers in 2005 , which is of course fab when you are wanting to build your herd up but a bit of a bummer when you want something for the freezer each year !!