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Post by smokymtnheritage on Mar 4, 2009 0:56:16 GMT -5
Greetings, I looked around the boards so if the following question has already been answered, I apologize for the spam... I couldn't find it anywhere... What age do most people first expose their heifers to a bull or AI? Thanks for your responses! Respectfully, Dan Smoky Mountain Heritage Farm www.smokymountainfarm.com |
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Post by Clive on Mar 4, 2009 4:48:30 GMT -5
Some people do younger but I would say the most usual earliest age is 15 months. Don't know what other people would think about that. If they are small or the bull is big, then leave them longer, say 18-22 months even. I'm talking non-chondro.
We play safe and usually leave them until 18 months whatever their size, but that's just our choice.
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Post by ctownson on Mar 4, 2009 5:59:55 GMT -5
You will hear various opinions on this. Consensus seems to me that the earliest is about 13 months, most people prefer 15 months, and some wait till 18 months. I personally go with the 15 month mark, that way the mom is 2 years old when the calf is born. If you have an exceptionally mature or immature heifer, you should adjust accordingly.
charles
beavertree farm
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Post by liz on Mar 4, 2009 9:32:27 GMT -5
I vote 14 or 15 months too! Liz
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Post by windmill on Mar 4, 2009 10:28:30 GMT -5
I was told by a long time cattle rancher that a heifer is safe to breed when she has reached 2/3 of her adult body weight. I have gone by that for the last 4 years and have never had a problem.
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Post by wdd on Mar 16, 2009 19:25:52 GMT -5
Growing up with beef animals and working on Dairies, I have always heard to breed at 15 mths so she calves at 2 yrs old. Earlier breeding is practiced by some but it tends to stunt the mature growth of the animal so they never grow to their full potential. I have heard some may intentionally use this to decieve people of what the true height potential of their animals are, especially with miniature breeds.
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Post by jirwin on Mar 21, 2009 10:35:40 GMT -5
15 months size depending. J.
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Post by tiffin on Nov 1, 2009 17:33:42 GMT -5
So, does this mean by the answers above that everyone has the facility to separate their bull from the rest of the herd? I don't. What then? What is the normal age for a heifer to start heats? I have my first experience with this with a Dexter/cross dutch belted born this past June.
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Post by ctownson on Nov 1, 2009 17:42:23 GMT -5
Dexters will come into heat months before they are ready to breed. Yes, you will need to keep them separate from the bull.
charles
beavertree farm
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