My Pets and livestock -

[Danger Noodle]

I'm really new here, so i'm not sure if i should post this, but i am

I'm going to get pictures of my cows Tomorrow, because it is dark out and they're in bed. but i'm going to post this now so i have it later. this is Stilts, my spoiled chicken.

The cows are generally out and about by sunset, but it's over 4 hours since sunset.. I'll see if they are out tomorrow morning. maybe I'll get myself more steak by then .
it is currently 10:29 PM where i am, and it's nearly silent. with the exception of the neighbor's rooster, of course.

Anyways, i have at least 5-8 Pregnant cows, and at least 50 males, most of them are calves. i'll provide y'all with pictures of them tomorrow. some of the males are beginning to become aggressive.. i think i know who's going to be the steaks. i'm kind of nervous for Mare, one of my biggest pregnant females. she looks so far along, and i swear it must be painful and hard to walk. i might make her her own thread soon, but i think two threads is enough for one night. i think she's a Black Angus. i will update soon, i'm just surfing for advice on calves.

--ok, i'm back. i just figured out one of my youngest adult females is pregnant ALREADY!! the breeder told me she was around 1 and a half when i got her. now she's barley 2. i mean, the breeder could have been wrong, but i doubt it, and i guess it's possible. but it just surprised me. she was looking puffy a while ago, and i was suspicious, but now she is definitely not fat or just big. i named her Helena.

sadly, Ash is becoming aggressive, and i'm not sure if i should call him a calf anymore. i think he's around 2 years old, but i wasn't sure because he was so small compared to any female. now i'm wondering if Ash is the father..

(there's nothing wrong with Ash mating just it makes me feel kinda weird for some reason)

 

[Baymule]

Bulls do become aggressive. Do you have the 50 calves with the cows or seperated?

 

[Danger Noodle]

Bulls do become aggressive. Do you have the 50 calves with the cows or seperated?

With the cows. they never seem to fight.

 

[Mini Horses]

I'm wondering the ages of the cows.....as to running a huge number of bulls with them...OR are they steers??? How many heifers or cows are there? How long you had this herd? Yeah, we're nosey...

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Danger Noodle]

I'm wondering the ages of the cows.....as to running a huge number of bulls with them...OR are they steers??? How many heifers or cows are there? How long you had this herd? Yeah, we're nosey...

Welcome to the forum.

Thank you, and they are all different ages. most of them were unwanted or abused cows that i took in and gave a new home or kept. i've had a few of these cows for four years, some three, some two, and some that are yet to be born. i've had cows for 5-6 years. as for heifers... i have absolutely no idea.. some were severely overbred, and were rescued and given to me. some were unwanted calves that were born and then going to be killed. i had a few steers, but their in the freezer now. i did a rough head count of young males and there's about 50, and at least 100-150 females.

 

[Danger Noodle]

i'm thinking about getting rid of them or donating them- i have so much to deal with and do, and being a breeder who doesn't sell is just getting crazy. i know some people who could use some cows.

 

[Mini Horses]

being a breeder who doesn't sell is just getting crazy.

Wow! How much land do you have for them?

While I applaud your wanting to "save" them......I can't say you are a "breeder". No that would be a term for those who handle their livestock well, keeping them apart until appropriate breeding age and condition. Doesn't sound like that is happening.

Perhaps giving them away would be the best, because the inbred and overbred is happening there from what I read in your reply. I don't read that you are doing what is needed to help these animals you got "as unwanted and abused" to be raised better. I hope I'm wrong and you haven't just been tossing everyone together in a field, as it sounds in your replies.

As a group, this forum wants to help and loves their animals to have good care...even thosed whose purpose is freezer camp!

 

[Baymule]

While rescuing animals is admirable, hoarding is not. No, it doesn't sound like you are a breeder. A breeder DOES sell animals, culling out the ones that don't make the quality to be bred. A breeder doesn't lump cattle all together of all ages and both sexes. Bull calves need to be separated at weaning, 6 months. Better yet, they should be castrated. The only reason for keeping a bull is because it is an outstanding specimen of it's breed. Your Ash, you say is so small at 2 years old and you don't know what breed or mix of breeds he might be. That sounds like an inferior bull that should be castrated and/or put in the freezer and never be allowed to breed.

Responsible rescues don't breed their animals. They feed and treat them well and don't let them breed willy-nilly. A responsible rescue has knowledge about the animals they have.

It sounds like you have a soft heart and do care about the cattle. Unfortunately, that is not enough. Not trying to be mean or rude, but you don't have the knowledge needed to properly care for them. At this point, I have to agree with you, selling or giving them away sounds like a much better plan than what you have going on now.

@Mini Horses and I are not being judgmental, nor are we wanting to come off as being rude to you. We are concerned for the cattle as you are, but we have years of experience and know how they should be handled.

Not selling animals, rescuing animals and allowing them to be bred by not keeping them apart is not a rescue. It is hoarding and can quickly downslide into neglect and abuse. Even though you may have the best of intensions, this is not a good situation.

Would you keep 150 dogs of both sexes, of different breeds, in a big field and allow the females to be bred indiscrimately? No, of course you wouldn't. You would be horrified at anyone doing so. It is the same thing with the cattle.

I truly believe that you started out with the best of intentions. Not knowing cattle and how to properly care for them, separate, castrate and SELL them, it has got out of control. You would do best if you backed up a trailer, loaded them up and took them to auction.

Again, not beating up on you, just trying to help you in a tough situation. Please don't be offended, we want what is best for the cattle.

 

[Finnie]

. Please don't be offended, we want what is best for the cattle.

And for you.

 

[Danger Noodle]

So far, i've given away about 100 to some needy farms and friends.