Farmer Kitty
True BYH Addict
I would have to agree with wynedot. And your right NEVER trust a bull. Hopefully, she settled and you won't have to worry about it for a long time to come.
Holding tail off to the side...does that always indicate heat?
- Thread starter amysflock
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amysflock
Loving the herd life
Yeah, wow...sounds like if he's old enough, you probably just witnessed your first breeding!
I'm very careful even with our cows...I don't have any real experience with bulls, but would definitely watch myself around them. We'll be needing to bring a bull in to breed back our two girls in the next few months probably, so I'm going to read up on bull behavior and make sure DH and I are both ready.
Hope your girl is bred! How exciting!
I'm very careful even with our cows...I don't have any real experience with bulls, but would definitely watch myself around them. We'll be needing to bring a bull in to breed back our two girls in the next few months probably, so I'm going to read up on bull behavior and make sure DH and I are both ready.
Hope your girl is bred! How exciting!
Thewife
Likes frogs
I don't trust bulls at all! When I am out and about, my dogs are with me. If we are doing a round up, I let the guys deal with the bull.
When I was milking, the boss brought in a big bull. The barn scraper and the first two milking shifts didn't have a problem with him. When it came to my shift, he stood at the end of the pit and screamed at me! Then he started going up and down the holding pen, only stopping at the end of the pit, to scream at me! When it got to the point I had to go into the holding pen to bring up the slacker cows, I called the manager and told her if she wanted these cows milked, she had better get her #### out here! I still goose bumps thinking about that!
When I was milking, the boss brought in a big bull. The barn scraper and the first two milking shifts didn't have a problem with him. When it came to my shift, he stood at the end of the pit and screamed at me! Then he started going up and down the holding pen, only stopping at the end of the pit, to scream at me! When it got to the point I had to go into the holding pen to bring up the slacker cows, I called the manager and told her if she wanted these cows milked, she had better get her #### out here! I still goose bumps thinking about that!
jjanekelly
Just born
Thanks all, Rusty the bull is back to being himself. As I've been reading, I guess I'm not out of the woods, unless his companion is pregnant. Hopefully, that's the case. He's an amazing animal to look at. Take care
allenacres
Chillin' with the herd
How old is your heifer?jjanekelly said:
jhm47
True BYH Addict
Hello: I'm concerned about something that I feel is important. First of all, I've raised cattle for my entire life 60+ years. When I was pre-school, I helped my father with his dairy herd by feeding the baby calves (Holstein). When I was older, I took over all the chores, and still have a herd of beef cattle.
I am also a paramedic. I have worked on an ambulance crew for nearly 20 years now, and have had to treat and transport several people who were attacked by bulls and even some who were attacked by cows.
Here is a bit of advice to all of you. I realize that some of you will strongly disagree with me, but I am posting this for your own safety and well-being.
DO NOT pet bulls on their heads. They love it, but it leads to aggressive behavior. It's cute to see them come up and want their heads scratched, but when they get larger, they become demanding, and many will also start to play with you. Their play is very dangerous, and can injure or kill humans.
Second, I will never understand why people will allow cattle to have the large, sharp horns like Highlanders/Longhorns (or any other breed) have. These are weapons that are just as dangerous to people and other animals as is a gun in the hands of an irresponsible person. These horns interfere with being able to safely restrain an animal (headgate or holding chute). They also are a danger to their herdmates. Many cattle defend their space at the feeder with their horns, and they have put out eyes and otherwise injured their fellow cattle and owners.
I post this not with the intent to criticize anyone, but I felt obligated to warn all of you about this. I would feel terrible if someone was injured or killed, and I hadn't warned them about this.
Oh----There are several ways to safely and humanely "dehorn" cattle. In my opinion, the best way is to "breed the horns off". Good luck!
I am also a paramedic. I have worked on an ambulance crew for nearly 20 years now, and have had to treat and transport several people who were attacked by bulls and even some who were attacked by cows.
Here is a bit of advice to all of you. I realize that some of you will strongly disagree with me, but I am posting this for your own safety and well-being.
DO NOT pet bulls on their heads. They love it, but it leads to aggressive behavior. It's cute to see them come up and want their heads scratched, but when they get larger, they become demanding, and many will also start to play with you. Their play is very dangerous, and can injure or kill humans.
Second, I will never understand why people will allow cattle to have the large, sharp horns like Highlanders/Longhorns (or any other breed) have. These are weapons that are just as dangerous to people and other animals as is a gun in the hands of an irresponsible person. These horns interfere with being able to safely restrain an animal (headgate or holding chute). They also are a danger to their herdmates. Many cattle defend their space at the feeder with their horns, and they have put out eyes and otherwise injured their fellow cattle and owners.
I post this not with the intent to criticize anyone, but I felt obligated to warn all of you about this. I would feel terrible if someone was injured or killed, and I hadn't warned them about this.
Oh----There are several ways to safely and humanely "dehorn" cattle. In my opinion, the best way is to "breed the horns off". Good luck!
Farmer Kitty
True BYH Addict
I agree with you! Bulls are not pets! You should always keep a watchful eye on them-at all times!
I also feel that horns are dangerous and should come off. There are some here that do not feel that way or leave them until they cause problems-that is their choice and I believe it has been talked about here on the forum.
I also feel that horns are dangerous and should come off. There are some here that do not feel that way or leave them until they cause problems-that is their choice and I believe it has been talked about here on the forum.
Thewife
Likes frogs
I alway heard, the tamer the bull, the higher the chance he will hurt someone.
I always like the pasture raised, afraid of people, bulls!
I always like the pasture raised, afraid of people, bulls!
- Thread starter
- #20
amysflock
Loving the herd life
I have also read that one should never pet any cow/bull on the head. Good to know.
As for horns and headgates, scissor-close headgates do work for the Scottish Highland; the more common kind that are meant for the polled breeds don't work as well (but can still work...just takes more doing). I personally am no more careful working around my girls than I would be a polled animal...a bovine is a bovine, most are large, and all can do serious damage. I guess for me the horns just make a slightly wider "safety" circle...a good visual reminder to watch it.
I believe (and am postive my DH would agree) that any animal we have (horned or polled) that goes balistic and gets dangerous for no identifiable/correctable reason (i.e. not the result of a stupid mistake/misjudgement on our part or the result of the animal being spooked for by something) wins a one-way ticket to the slaughter house. Whether I "love" them or not. We're not here to breed dangerous animals.
As for horns and headgates, scissor-close headgates do work for the Scottish Highland; the more common kind that are meant for the polled breeds don't work as well (but can still work...just takes more doing). I personally am no more careful working around my girls than I would be a polled animal...a bovine is a bovine, most are large, and all can do serious damage. I guess for me the horns just make a slightly wider "safety" circle...a good visual reminder to watch it.
I believe (and am postive my DH would agree) that any animal we have (horned or polled) that goes balistic and gets dangerous for no identifiable/correctable reason (i.e. not the result of a stupid mistake/misjudgement on our part or the result of the animal being spooked for by something) wins a one-way ticket to the slaughter house. Whether I "love" them or not. We're not here to breed dangerous animals.
