Dexter behaviour

[hagabel]

Just got 2 cows today, 1 steer and 1 heifer in calf. Both Dexters and settling in well. They have been at the same stud but not in together. The heifer is herding the steer around although he is still getting plenty of time to eat etc. He does not seem bothered. is that normal?

I know to separate them nearer calving and for a while afterwards.



Thanks again.

[zephyrhillsusan]

They're sorting out their pecking order, and she seems to be the "top cow" kind. That's better than what happened when we let a bred cow in with a 20-month old steer--she's also the top cow kind, but he was determined to be the winner and butted her all over the place for at least 10 minutes while she butted right back. He hit her in the flank several times, and I was worried he'd cause her to abort, but they finally settled down. It's worrisome to watch, though.

[hagabel]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So they have settled down better but this cow(steer) has got under/through 2 runs of electric tape(on and quite effective) even after I have lowered it.(think short legged Dexter. He just stands outside tape near other cow and in no distress, does not go anywhere else on property(secured with outer fencing of post and rail and no 8 wire). Any thoughts? I wonder if I should just fence in cow separately where he wants to be?
__________________
2 crazy boys, 2 Labradors, 1 Dexter steer and 1 Dexter Heifer in calf

[zephyrhillsusan]

So they have settled down better but this cow(steer) has got under/through 2 runs of electric tape(on and quite effective) even after I have lowered it.(think short legged Dexter. He just stands outside tape near other cow and in no distress, does not go anywhere else on property(secured with outer fencing of post and rail and no 8 wire). Any thoughts? I wonder if I should just fence in cow separately where he wants to be?

I see I read the wrong post first; you answered my questions here!  So if I understand correctly, he doesn't want to be in the same pasture with the heifer, but he wants to be near her.  I'd say he's pretty smart, actually!  She was beating up on him; I wouldn't want to be in there with her, either.   But since he's a herd animal, he wants to be near her--just out of reach.  

So is the problem that when he goes where he is now, he can get right up to the gate you drive through, and you're worried he'll get out of the gate?  I can't quite picture what your set-up is, so I can't make any suggestions except to say that we have an escape artist steer.  I was able to fence him away from the pregnant cows he was trying to nurse on, but I couldn't keep him in the pasture I really wanted him in.  Interestingly enough, he has a favorite pasture; the one with the pond.  So we've just decided that's where he stays until he gets butchered at the end of the summer.  Also interesting, he doesn't seem to mind being alone.  He has actually left the other cattle and gotten himself into that pasture in the past.  Not one of the cows have ever escaped a pasture, nor two previous steers.  The bull did once when I made the mistake of putting a heifer in the next pasture instead of two away.  But this guy is just an escape artist.  He's very nice, but a PITA, and I won't be sorry to see him go!  All that is to say, you can eat a year-old steer if he turns out to be a pain.

[hagabel]

Thanks for your reply.
Re set up think 1 1/4 acres square field with house in middle and drive going gate up to house. Good sturdy post n rail and no 8 wire(to stop our labs getting out!) boundary fence with good sturdy gate and good sturdy lock.

This was my post from this am before I saw your reply:

Ok, I am out of patience and ideas. I have put them in same pasture with tape separating them. He goes under tape to get to her, then she chases him out of pasture into his area where he is chased by her so he goes under tape and she goes over with the hot wire on. I am so frustrated as he will not stay in any tape and I don't understand why. We had horses here with tape(higher) and they did not go anywhere.



So, now they are both wandering eating grass on the other side by the water trough. I don't understand why. They had grass, water and even hay this am in their pastures.(even 2 different piles of hay so she would not dominate him)



Any suggestions?

PS Hubby is out of town for a week but back Friday so we will have to take another form of attack then. There is one area with lots of grass they keep going to, may have to just fence them in there and get a much higher zapper as we are running off neighbor's hotwire and although it gives us quite a jolt maybe not enough for these guys.

[zephyrhillsusan]

I think you need a stronger charger.  The distance may be too far.  We use this one from Premier, but they have one that's stronger, which might be a good idea considering your animals have already learned they can  ignore the electric.  The company is good about advising you if you call them with questions about your situation.

It's really frustrating dealing with escapees, especially when you're alone.  At least you have a good perimeter fence!   I hope you manage to keep everyone contained until your husband gets home.

[dexterfarm]

dont mess around with a week charger it will just frustrate you. I use these the best I have found 16,000 volts at 6 joules. trust me it hurts. www.jefferspet.com/products/se-5-super-energizer

[Pinevalleydexters]

I wouldn't want them to learn to through a fence. I agree get a good charger.

[hagabel]

I have found through 2 kind people helping me with their fence testers that the power we have been running on is quite strong but very intermittent so someone is lending me a battery one tomorrow to tide me until the weekend and we will look at a mains charger to give 'em a good zap. Thanks. Today I gave up, fenced little one in where he wants to graze and Mum cow has stayed just the other side of the fence so all good for now.