Post by countrygirl on Nov 14, 2013 23:56:08 GMT -5
Hey all, So we got a mini jersey bull about 2 weeks ago and he has been great for the most part. He will be two years old in march I believe. The past couple morning he has been somewhat 'pushy' trying to get his grain when he comes out of his pen. And so today I figured it is time to do something about it. I don't want him to cause any problems or become a mean bull. We are currently in the situation of him having to been handled every day. We only have 13 acres and the other animals and such. He is with my standard jersey cow and her two month old heifer. The routine for a normal day looks like this: when I milk in the morning he goes into his separate pen for grain, I milk the cow, give fresh hay, clean up and then let him back out. I had been giving him some grain when he comes out, but have decided against that now as he has been pushy, at 11am I take them to the field and give him a carrot to put a lead rope on his nose ring. I guess I'm just kind of rambling on.. sorry.. I will get to the point. It hit me today that he needs to know that I'm boss, he needs to move when I when I tell him too and he needs to stay out of my bubble. I know he is smart and still young enough to be trained. So I don't want to do something wrong that would have a negative impacted. Today I decided since he respects the nose ring that I would use that as a training tool. Cluck at him to move back away from me and then give him a carrot. Does this sound right? I've been around horses since I was 6 and have worked with them a lot, but I know a bull is a lot different. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do know that bulls are dangerous and to never turn your back on them. To be honest, I can get scared of him and I should have a healthy fear of him, at the same time though, I need to manage him in a safe way. Especially since he is in closer contact with people more that just a bull out in the field with a big herd. Looking forward to hearing back from some of you, Thanks!