Aggressive cow and calf

[ESC]

so here’s my dilemma, we have a cow and her castrated 10 month old calf, we don’t separate them as we are strictly hobby farmers and don’t care about profit (although we still get a fair bit of milk) . Anyway, the cow has been aggressive from the start and even though she had calmed down a bit, she flared up a again this spring. The calf who started out as very nice, became a liability as he grew, trampling me once. He calmed down for a bit too but flared up enormously in the springtime. He starts jumping up and down and chasing you when you get near him. We can not walk around on our property anymore and the secluded grazing spot doesn’t offer nearly as much vegetation as the main place. Is there any way to improve their manner as we would never dream of letting them go? Thanks for all the support!

 

[AftonShepherd]

If be very surprised if you get any advice other than get rid before one of you is badly hurt. Life's too short without keeping animals that have already had a go at you.

 

[twizzel]

Burgers

 

[JJT]

Yep, I think it comes down to do you value their lives over "potentially" your life.

 

[davidroberts30]

has "he" been castrated?

 

[M-J-G]

Do you have a yard of 20mm plastic pipe with a brass fitting on the end of it.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

10 month old calves don't get quieter they get bigger and faster and more dangerous
Don't wait until you or somebody else gets a ride in the air ambulance or worse do the right thing while you can . get the calf sold to someone with a bunch of cattle where he may settle a bit, and the cow into Burger's

 

[Highland Mule]

we are strictly hobby farmers

On the basis of what you've written, no, you're not. You are landowners with animals. Farmers (hobby or not) would have the calf weaned, the cow back in calf and running with a few more of her own by now.

 

[windymiller]

Give em a magnesium lick to go at, if that doesn't work, get rid.

 

[Cowmansam]

As above get rid before you end up seriously hurt or worse

 

[puppet]

He has learned to be boss. When you say aggressive do you mean very lively as many bullocks his age will run towards you and can cause damage by what they regard as playing.
If it or the cow is actually aggressive and you can't walk in the field then that is as much a danger to others who don't realise. A cow may be excused a few days of protective behaviour but not 10 months.
Plenty farmers have found injuries hard to defend in court if a cow has already caused problems.
As above, get the bullock sold before it gets any bigger and find a quiet cow. There are thousands to choose from.
And find a friendly farmer neighbour to help you. Cows sold on their own are usually for a reason. Go to a herd dispersal sale instead

 

[egbert]

Some on this forum will shoot me down for telling you this, but I'm unrepentant.
I keep between 100-200 suckler cows, and have done all my days, so I'm not without experience.

I strongly suspect your cow - and her calf- are wearing the trousers.
I've sold to, and dealt with, many smallholders, and it's nothing to be ashamed of...you very likely treat them overly 'kindly'.
You need to assert yourself with these beasts, before -as said- someone gets hurt.
You have to be the boss.

I have seen it times, especially with those keeping a bull...who learns he is the boss.

The aforementioned piece of 20mm blue water pipe -sans fitting MJG- is a very handy tool, or a similar dimensioned piece of hazel stick.
If you're driving them forward, a suitable tap across the rump to make them move - don't be close enough that a reflex kick will connect, or be close in so as it won't hurt.
If they turn round on you in a confined space, or show aggression when you're in close, don't be afraid to smack them across the snout.
With a 20mm pipe, you are scarcely able to actually cause them harm, and non-cattle keepers are often shocked by such actions- but it will short circuit the imbalance in authority that is now occurring.

This type of situation can often be managed by just the flat of a hand, or even just very good body language and vocal commands...but frankly, it is a VERY high level of skill needed, which most lifelong farmers don't even realise they have- and finding out whether you have it might allow things to progress downhill.

Don't be afraid- they can read that a mile off- but ultimately, you don't want them afraid of you either...merely respectful.
Message me if you need more help, or find a stockman nearby, and get him/her to visit and have a chat

 

[T7.wab]

Maybe that other guy still has some of the 50 sleeping pills left you could get

 

[puppet]

Some on this forum will shoot me down for telling you this, but I'm unrepentant.
I keep between 100-200 suckler cows, and have done all my days, so I'm not without experience.

I strongly suspect your cow - and her calf- are wearing the trousers.
I've sold to, and dealt with, many smallholders, and it's nothing to be ashamed of...you very likely treat them overly 'kindly'.
You need to assert yourself with these beasts, before -as said- someone gets hurt.
You have to be the boss.

I have seen it times, especially with those keeping a bull...who learns he is the boss.

The aforementioned piece of 20mm blue water pipe -sans fitting MJG- is a very handy tool, or a similar dimensioned piece of hazel stick.
If you're driving them forward, a suitable tap across the rump to make them move - don't be close enough that a reflex kick will connect, or be close in so as it won't hurt.
If they turn round on you in a confined space, or show aggression when you're in close, don't be afraid to smack them across the snout.
With a 20mm pipe, you are scarcely able to actually cause them harm, and non-cattle keepers are often shocked by such actions- but it will short circuit the imbalance in authority that is now occurring.

This type of situation can often be managed by just the flat of a hand, or even just very good body language and vocal commands...but frankly, it is a VERY high level of skill needed, which most lifelong farmers don't even realise they have- and finding out whether you have it might allow things to progress downhill.

Don't be afraid- they can read that a mile off- but ultimately, you don't want them afraid of you either...merely respectful.
Message me if you need more help, or find a stockman nearby, and get him/her to visit and have a chat

Looks like we are on the same page. Hopefully the OP has some success

 

[Wellytrack]

Smells fishy. Never consider parting with them. Ever? So potentially have 2x 700kgs of suppressed rage patrolling forever?

Hmmmm.

 

[tr250]

Sounds like over petting feeding to divert them so they do it more etc

 

[Cvx1170]

Feed to velociraptors

 

[Highland Mule]

Smells fishy. Never consider parting with them. Ever? So potentially have 2x 700kgs of suppressed rage patrolling forever?

Hmmmm.

Context - the OP's other thread. Castrating Simmental Calf

 

[Wellytrack]

Context - the OP's other thread. Castrating Simmental Calf

Oh.

Be a cheaper option not to keep “3000lbs of do whatever the hell I like” and get someone in and tell them to walk the holding and dig somewhere between 6-10 4x4 foot deep holes filled with pointy sticks, cover, disguise and never tell where they are...

 

[Highland Mule]

Oh.

Be a cheaper option not to keep “3000lbs of do whatever the hell I like” and get someone in and tell them to walk the holding and dig somewhere between 6-10 4x4 foot deep holes filled with pointy sticks, cover, disguise and never tell where they are...

I'd say that there will be holes getting dug somewhere - rather one for the cattle than a 3x7 with a wooden box for the owners. How some folks think they can keep a three quarter tonne animal as a domestic pet I will never understand.