Never known a winter for the cows fighting each other so much, herd was split into groups when housed and fair enough they fought to determine dominance but there seems to be a fight going on most days, cows digging the yards up etc. They have ample room , feed , water etc and because of the weather and early housing are probably fitter than i would like. Any pearls of wisdom?
Fighting Cows
- Thread starter Werzle
- Start date
- Location
- Ardrossan Ayrshire
Have observed with ours, no matter how bad the arsehole bully cows are, as soon as you put the bull in the pen they behave. Occasionally a nutcase has a go at him when he goes in but he sorts her out in about 2 mins.
I had to give it up I kept loosing
- Location
- Ardrossan Ayrshire
If the cows are in calf and the heifers calves arent bulling a bull will do no harm, but obviously you will know whats what.
I've never worked it out to my satisfaction, it's not always dominant cows bullying younger/smaller cows it can be subordinates trying to maintain their position when new introductions are made. This winter I've had to turn out one particular cow who was bullied in her peer group, split and put in with 1st calfed heifers, some would actively search her out to give her a hammering. She did have an acute summer mastitis perhaps the "herd" mentality regard it as a weakness. Another form of bullying is individuals standing broadside at the barrier keeping all back, this is a domination trait, totally unnecessary as they are never short of grub. There is a lot to be said for keeping them with their rearing group after calving. Are some of the culprits bought in?
No not always, have penned a freshly calved cow up in the past to ensure mothering/sucking etc for a few hours and some of the other cows will treat her like a new cow and be waiting to fight once i loose her out. I dont like having bulls in the yards at calving time because a cow moaning while calving can get them excited and i dont want to be watching out for a ton of beef while down calving one
Agree on this. Had all the coos in all winter, as it was so berluddy wet and would have been a PITA traipsing back and forward to them. The stubble I was intending they would run onto was needed for OWS....
As a result they have been grumpy and bolshy. all winter.. Matters have improved a fortnight ago with some calves weaned and the weaned cows popped in another shed to dry them up. Cows are better outdoors!!!
Cows due to start calving in 3 weeks and looking OK.... ?
If we are talking wives tales put a donkey in there to beat the lot of them
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Seeing as many animals communicate more by scent than any other sense, maybe not such a stupid suggestion. Some of us use substances that will disrupt normal scent in getting a ewe to adopt a lamb. Never discount old wive's tales.
No idea - never tried it, have heard the same repeated from several sources
Princess Pooper
Member
- Location
- East Mids
I've seen cows attacking each other when one's calf goes a bit too close to another cow. Genuine Mum laying into the non-Mum. Non-Mum perfectly innocent, not her fault calf went near her. Any of that going on?
Plenty of folks use them to keep pedigree bulls in order
Don’t they say cattle low in magnesium become tetchy?
- Location
- East Sussex
Mine have been a bit more ‘playful’ the last week or two. I just put it down to weather but sounds like you’ve had this trouble for a while.
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