One’s ranking within the herd is not set in concrete.

[Donlin Stud]

I wonder sometimes if some of the behaviours we observe is because we run numbers and two separate herds divided by the sexes: having a bull herd and a female herd.

Mating season sees a bull in his own paddock with a select number of girls for about 4-6 weeks only. The rest of the year, all remain in the same sex herd.



Below are our observations of the fluid ranking status within our female herd.


1. Daughters tend to enjoy a similar ranking status within the herd as their mothers. It becomes more obvious when they are near adults than when calves


2. One’s social ranking can be upgraded with the arrival of their first born.


3. No matter how much higher a daughter’s ranking, she always respects her mother


4. Older siblings ensure their younger maternal siblings enjoy their same ranking


5. The Matriarch does change and especially if separated from the 2nd and 3rd ranked during joining season or one becomes sick and separates as Midori recently did. Her ranking was significantly lowered with even one of the heifers now out ranking her.


6. Mothers will intervene when their daughters assert their higher ranking status on their (maternal) grandmother


7. Two appear to share the matriarch position or there is a great respect between the first and second ranking females making it appear as if they share the status.
Haven’t quite figured this out as yet – Im sure over time we will work it out 


You dont see this in the bull herd. 

One snort from the senior and everyone takes a step backwards without argument

The senior bull is the boss - there is no change in the top ranking at the drop of a hat

No pushing or shoving at treat time.
Senior bull gets his food first and there is never an attempt by the teens to share or sticky beak at what he has in case it might be different.

Dexter boys are so well mannered.  So easy to be around at treat time. So relaxing to interact with

And the Bloke wonders why I head straight for the boys paddock leaving him to deal with those wayward teen-heifers LOL

[cascade]

These observations are terrific, and I've observed very much the same in my fairly large herd. Thanks for detailing it out.

[lakeportfarms]

Very good ! I'll add a comment to your observations. When you have two closely matched females at the top, we try to provide an advantage to the cow with the better temperament (with the other cows) if they are establishing or re-establishing their place. Such as not bringing the "good cow" back to the herd just after calving when she's still a bit weakened, but we will do that if it's the "mean cow", etc... Our mean cow may be perfect with us, but she better be or she's gone. I don't mean that we have mean cows, but some just handle the responsibility of top cow better than others.

Like people, even cows sometimes let power go to their head LOL

[Donlin Stud]

Thanks Cascade. You confirm we are not crazy or have crazy moos 

And the power hungry moos are so true Hans. Some definitely do handle the top position better than others, but the only time we have seen this, it didnt last long Branna was knocked from the top as quickly as she arrived there.