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Post by Wags on Sept 14, 2008 15:47:21 GMT -5
Never mind - hubby said "NO WAY, NO HOW!" to getting a bull so the question is moot.
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Post by tiffin on Sept 29, 2008 10:15:17 GMT -5
Genebo, what do you have for fencing? What age is your bull? Is he older than the cows and been on your farm longer than the cows? Or did he basically take over just because he is a bull? I don't really have what I would call a leader with 10 animals. When I changed paddocks it could be any of say 4 of the 10 that will step forward but not just one consistently. It is the oldest steer that will race in for grain, then the others follow. So, I'm wondering if when our bull calf becomes mature whether he will become a leader as you have found. It should be interesting. But, when you get a chance explain your fencing so I can compare and make changes if need be.
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Post by tiffin on Sept 29, 2008 10:20:14 GMT -5
Just another thing about not having a leader. None of the animals wait for a certain cow to eat. They are all in your face regarding say bread which I give through the fence. I have to seperate the 4 older bigger cows, steer in four stalls in order for the others to get any grain. I'm trying to get them use to head locks for grain but only three will do this as of yet.
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Post by tiffin on Sept 30, 2008 6:06:49 GMT -5
Genebo, sorry for your house problem (not big enough or assertive? lol) What about your fencing? I'll tell you what I have. 7 acres with a periphery fence of 1 and 3' barb and 2' electric. Then 5 pastures in between seperated by temporary electric tape. So, far once the calves have had a zap or two they all respect the fencing. No jumpers either. I saw that at one farm with Dexters, cow would go right over a 4' fence. Then the barnyard is quite large made out of 5 - 8' gates and hay feeders at one end, posts in the ground in between every gate. Again, none of the cows question the barnyard either except for an occasional rubbing. See any problems for a bull?
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Post by tiffin on Oct 1, 2008 6:01:39 GMT -5
Thank you Genebo for info. Your fencing is certainly beefier than mine but I feel that there is no reason for the bull to want to go through it and leave the girls so I don't expect a problem. We recently had one of our heifers go into heat and this little 4 month old bull followed her around all day like a love sick puppy. So, I'm expecting him to be a good indicator while I get them all AI'd (two left).
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Post by tiffin on Oct 1, 2008 13:31:42 GMT -5
Could be but she must have smelled awful good to him. He even had his nose right in her urine. Next day didn't have anything to do with her. I'll watch for the next cow to go in heat and see what he does. Interesting aren't they?
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Honeycreek Dexters
member
All Natural Drug Free Grass Fed Beef, From Our Herd Sire Phoenix
Posts: 362
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Post by Honeycreek Dexters on Oct 1, 2008 15:51:35 GMT -5
3 yrs ago we kept our herd sire separate with a single hot wire and woven wire fence, wood post (landscaping timbers) every 10 ft. as soon as the hot wire was down so was the wire fence. he just put his chest on it and leaned forward. but we have went to 5 strand barb and he seems to respect it more. of coarse we haven't tried to separate him from the girls yet. all that said if you can come to an understanding with the husband i think you will find a Dexter bull less aggressive than any other breed. that is one of the reasons they are considered the perfect house cow so the husband can go do his chores and not have to worry about the bull killing the wife and kids. but you must still respect that he is a bull.
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