Post by happydog on Jan 1, 2011 19:57:17 GMT -5
After reading numerous threads about dairy bulls I swore I was never gonna have one here. But my cow Daisy needs breeding and a gorgeous bull just sort of dropped in my lap. So dh is picking him up today. And I could use some advice.
He's 15 months old and was bottle fed along with a heifer. So he was hand raised, though not alone. The seller says he comes up readily for feeding but is somewhat standoffish (has a flight zone.) She says he's never shown any signs of aggression and isn't treated as a pet. She bought him specifically to raise with the heifer and breed her, which he did.
Plan A is to keep him just long enough to cover Daisy, then sell him quick, hopefully to a nearby farm where I can use him in the future.
Plan B is my friend who keeps about 30 bulls and will come get him right away if I see any signs of aggression or just feel uneasy having him here.
I have a couple of questions right off the bat:
I have Daisy and two dry, pregnant cows, due to calve in a few months. Is there any reason the bull can't live with all the girls, or should I put him and Daisy in a separate pasture?
Milking time worries me. I'll need to get her away from him twice a day. Usually she's waiting by the gate or I just call and she comes up, but every once in a while I have to go out and get her. How do you separate the cow from the bull for milking? (I know, very carefully, lol.)
I plan to:
1. Not go in the pasture or anywhere near him if I can help it.
2. If I have to go in the pasture, carry a big stick and use it.
3. Never ever take my eyes off him or turn my back on him.
4. Get rid of him as fast as possible after he's done his job.
Any suggestions? Does this sound like a reasonably safe plan or just stupid and dangerous?
I feel like I've just invited Hannibal Lector to my daughter's Sweet Sixteen party.
He's 15 months old and was bottle fed along with a heifer. So he was hand raised, though not alone. The seller says he comes up readily for feeding but is somewhat standoffish (has a flight zone.) She says he's never shown any signs of aggression and isn't treated as a pet. She bought him specifically to raise with the heifer and breed her, which he did.
Plan A is to keep him just long enough to cover Daisy, then sell him quick, hopefully to a nearby farm where I can use him in the future.
Plan B is my friend who keeps about 30 bulls and will come get him right away if I see any signs of aggression or just feel uneasy having him here.
I have a couple of questions right off the bat:
I have Daisy and two dry, pregnant cows, due to calve in a few months. Is there any reason the bull can't live with all the girls, or should I put him and Daisy in a separate pasture?
Milking time worries me. I'll need to get her away from him twice a day. Usually she's waiting by the gate or I just call and she comes up, but every once in a while I have to go out and get her. How do you separate the cow from the bull for milking? (I know, very carefully, lol.)
I plan to:
1. Not go in the pasture or anywhere near him if I can help it.
2. If I have to go in the pasture, carry a big stick and use it.
3. Never ever take my eyes off him or turn my back on him.
4. Get rid of him as fast as possible after he's done his job.
Any suggestions? Does this sound like a reasonably safe plan or just stupid and dangerous?
I feel like I've just invited Hannibal Lector to my daughter's Sweet Sixteen party.