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Post by littlecowfl on Dec 8, 2014 16:18:04 GMT -5
That is exactly what I'm talking about, thank you.
So, which would be better, 50 inch livestock panels topped with corral boards ($26.48 per 16 feet) or four corral board fence ($33.96 per 16 feet)?
Regardless, the posts are 6X6 and 8 feet long.
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Post by littlecowfl on Dec 8, 2014 20:52:58 GMT -5
Hubby and I decided on the corral boards. We were not impressed with the panels. Thank you to all who offered ideas.
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Post by dexterfarm on Dec 9, 2014 10:14:42 GMT -5
what size boards are you thinking? What span between post? I think a sixteen foot span may be to much. Make sure there is not to much of a gap between the boards. If he can get more than just a nose through may push and spread them. Put a buddy with him to keep him busy that will go a long way.
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Post by littlecowfl on Dec 11, 2014 5:39:59 GMT -5
Thanks. The posts are no more than 8 feet apart and woven wire fence is already in place so no way to push through. The boards should keep him from bending down the fence. Regarding a buddy, do you guys use a steer or a cow? The cows are all bred.
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Post by kansasdexters on Dec 11, 2014 6:10:31 GMT -5
A bull will be happier if you give him a bred cow as a companion. Also, because most owners want to feed their steers to get them fattened, and they don't want their bull to get too fat, it's better to not keep a bull together with steers for any extended periods of time. Mature bulls will often try to mount and ride steers, so it's not the best situation (from the steer's viewpoint) to keep your bull with a steer. We usually keep two or three bulls together in their own paddock area. If we need to separate out one bull from the others, we keep him with an older bred cow (one that was bred to him).
Patti
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Post by littlecowfl on Dec 11, 2014 9:43:09 GMT -5
Thanks! I have the perfect cow in mind. I believe she is bred, but she is older and might need the, ahem, 'extra attention'.
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Post by dexterfarm on Dec 11, 2014 10:01:24 GMT -5
A cow will probably keep him the happiest but ether will work. Here is how we do it. First I dont steer many I leave them bulls for the extra yield. About this time of year actually it was last week that I separated. I put all bulls, steers and cows with bull calves in one area. All cows that have heifers and other heifers go into another pen. before calving time starts those mothers will have weaned there bull calves and I move those cows back in with the rest of the cows and heifers. It has worked well for us.
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Post by littlecowfl on Dec 21, 2014 18:05:47 GMT -5
Okay, we finished the pen. We'll see if the bull is still in there tomorrow morning. One gate is not strong enough so it has a temporary board above it until the farm supply gets the right sized bull gate. This is also where our squeeze chute is and we will be extending the lane leading into the chute as well as adding a sweep gate. But that's a project for another day. Bull gate. This gate will be replaced soon.
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502
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Post by zephyrhillsusan on Dec 21, 2014 21:54:00 GMT -5
It looks good!
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Post by littlecowfl on Dec 22, 2014 5:32:36 GMT -5
Thanks! He is still there this morning and seems calm. When we first put him in his new pen, he spent the first 30 minutes testing the fence for a place where he could get his head between the boards. When that failed, he settled down. The pastures outside his pen are typically used for the horses, rather than the cattle. I think that's good idea! Best to not frustrate or tempt him. He is also more cuddly with the cow in with him this morning. Perhaps they have a herd thing going on already. One can hope.
He needs to be in his pen until I can get all the cows on the same schedule. The calves were too spaced out (I added new cows at different times or they matured at different times). We are having more problems with predators and I need to shorten my calving season so I can bring expectant mama cows in to keep them safe from coyotes. I also have a few heifers I'd like to keep.
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DoubleD
member
So no one on here has tried giving hemp to Dexters?
Posts: 59
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Post by DoubleD on Feb 7, 2015 0:12:50 GMT -5
I have kept a 1300 lbs dexter bull contained using polywire and a battery operated gallagher B11 charger. My then three year old touched the fence. Ouch but it's not dangerous. Seriously, learn more about electric fencing. Get with it, kind of harsh but are you seriously not going to keep your cattle penned up all growing season are you?
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Post by karenp on Feb 7, 2015 9:30:27 GMT -5
Lower Delaware
Hmmm, we put up electric to keep our youngest son in the yard and out of the pasture. He was one of those kids, at 3 he would push out the screens in the windows to get outside. The minute your back was turned he would take off.
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Post by littlecowfl on Feb 17, 2015 11:26:20 GMT -5
The bull is fine when he's with the herd, so turning him out during the appropriate time of year isn't an issue.
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