|
|
Post by newdeal on Jul 4, 2017 11:53:07 GMT
I'm new to raising Dexter Cattle. I have a two year old bull, a cow, a yearling heifer and a steer. I raise them on a 10 acre farm that is surrounded by neighbors. Currently I have the bull and cow together in one pasture, and the yearling steer and heifer in another. My bull will not stop balling! The calves are not his. He appears to be interested in the calves location more than anything. I was trying to keep him separated from my heifer to prevent early breeding. If he doesn't quiet down, I will have to get rid of him. Any suggestions. Does anyone on here keep there bull with their herd year-round? Thanks |
|
|
|
Post by otf on Jul 4, 2017 12:18:33 GMT
Are you referring to the heifer and steer as the "calves?" It's difficult with so few animals not to keep them all together. But if you can wait a few more months until the heifer's old enough (large enough) to breed, things will settle down. Neighbors don't make things easy, do they? Or you could try swapping the steer and the cow, giving the bull and steer one pasture and the cow and heifer a different pasture. Lots of people keep the bull with the herd all year long, but it gives you no schedule for calving and makes weaning a challenge.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenp on Jul 4, 2017 13:58:04 GMT
How long has he been vocal? Could the heifer be in heat?
|
|
|
|
Post by jamshundred on Jul 4, 2017 16:39:21 GMT
New deal, I have always felt raising animals as close to nature as possible is beneficial to the herd. My bull(s) run with the herd year round. It makes for a more contented bull, and herd. I have NEVER had a heifer bred early. When a herd bull manages his herd, he sees to breeding, he trains and disciplines his sons, and he protects his daughters. He also can often be seen babysitting in the pasture, lying surrounded by young calves, chewing his cud and I am sure giving life lessons I cannot "hear".
It is not unusual for a Dexter heifer to be bred at 12 months. My heifers usually consistently calve their first time around 24 months.
Judy
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2017 14:29:55 GMT
how old is the heifer you are worried about him breeding?
I do not leave the bulls in year round but it is because of Iowa winters. I cant risk having calves in sub zero weather.
I never leave my bulls alone they will be with steers or cows that are already breed.
|
|
|
|
Post by genebo on Jul 5, 2017 16:36:12 GMT
For years I kept a family herd here on 10 acres. Usually 8-11 members.
There are a few rules that need to be followed:
Always keep just one bull. He can them manage his herd. Competition between males upsets that.
Even a steer can upset the family management if the steer still has some of his bullish ways.
The bull can manage the heifers that grew up in his family, but any new addition is fair game. He will breed her at first opportunity.
When a family herd is in balance, it is a wonderful thing. The worst consequence from upsetting the balance is that a heifer will be bred early.
As was previously told, you will not be able to control when calves will be born. That will be up to the family to determine. If you have extreme weather conditions that can't allow calving, then the family herd will not suit you. If you ever isolate the bull to time breeding, once re-introduced to the herd he will breed everything that comes into heat. He may never re-establish his management of the herd.
It is also important to properly time the introduction of new heifers to the family. Add them as young as possible, so that they are fully incorporated into the family by the time they begin coming into heat. Remember that the bull will breed any new or strange female that is in heat.
|
|
