Heifer bullying

[sjewart]

Yeah those pesky sheep. They have had every blade here as well.

Hope you get it sorted.

Just one of the downsides of lambing Feb/March. The sheep need the grass now but as usual it's soooo late in coming.

 

[CharcoalWally]

Sell the brutes fat @sjewart and forget it.

All that's happening is they're now thinking they're Queen of the Castle and when they move on to their next home they'll try and do the same again in the next herd.

The group they're in is too small and they probably feel more like pets rather than farm animals.

When cattle learn to feel that they're special, or that they're in charge, that feeling rarely leaves them.

Most people hate bully cattle because they invariably impact on the weakest in the group.

 

[Henarar]

Sell the brutes fat @sjewart and forget it.

All that's happening is they're now thinking they're Queen of the Castle and when they move on to their next home they'll try and do the same again in the next herd.

The group they're in is too small and they probably feel more like pets rather than farm animals.

When cattle learn to feel that they're special, or that they're in charge, that feeling rarely leaves them.

Most people hate bully cattle because they invariably impact on the weakest in the group.

Or put them out with the older ones if they are bigger one at a time and hope they get a good beating

 

[sjewart]

Well low and behold today things are better. Red heifer still the lowest in pecking order but someone has to be. Took her share of feed a.m. and p.m.

View attachment 660254

 

[Philip Watkins]

That picture make them look fit for the fat ring.

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Thank you, I think you've hit the nail on the head, well at least it makes sense to me.

I did take a stick out tonight and hit them over head when I put a bit feeding in spefically for the red heifer but she was too nervous to come in for it and I can't see that strategy working short or long term.

I can't really separate her as iv the pen set up with crush etc so I can get them a.i.'d easily.

Will she likely be OK 6 weeks inside with the other 2? Wee bit worried the stress she's under will lead to pneumonia or she'll get hurt.

Hoping they will settle down.

It's not the pneumonia or getting hurt that will be the biggest issue, no none of it is ideal but if you are trying to AI you'll have no chance getting a stressed animal to hold an embryo. They really do need to be as calm as possible, allowed to stand and relax after being served with no argybargy going on.

As suggested turn them out, allow a pecking order to be established within the heard, her to make some pals and then bring them in as and when required, all my cows will follow me for miles with a bucket (full or empty) swinging from my arm, the beauty of them knowing what corn is.

 

[sjewart]

Vet confirmed 2 out of 3 in calf today so not perfect but couldn't be worse.