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Post by copperhead on Nov 29, 2007 20:59:24 GMT -5
I read the post about what age for heifers to breed, and I want to know what age most of you start using a bull. I need to replace my bull and am looking at a calf who will be a year old in Jan and I wonder if thats old enough to breed my cows. I would only have one or two young ones to breed in January, and the rest would start calving in march and on into June. He would have around 12 cows to breed by then, is that too big a load for a young bull? Also, one of my cows is a big girl, wonder if he could reach her.......... ;D Thanks, P.J.
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Post by gene on Nov 29, 2007 21:35:31 GMT -5
p.j. when i got my first dexter bull, he was 11 months old. he bred 3 dexter heifers and 14 full grown brangus cows within the next 2 months. happy little dude he was.
gene
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Post by anthony on Nov 30, 2007 8:12:56 GMT -5
When thinking of my first year with Dexters I had two bulls. One was about 4 months older than the oterh but got into some grain and overloaded and died before he got anyone bred. I think he was like 8 months old at the time. I would have to check the records to be sure.
His half brother, who was born March 10th if I remember right, bred a cow before he was 9 months old. It was my largest Dexter cow. He did what can best be described as a jumping mount. But she settled and we went on from there.. He proceeded to breed 2 more in the next 2 weeks (the rest took to AI) with zero troubles. I have used a yearling bull in the Angus herd on 20 animals but that, according to the experts is a big push and you should be more about 15).. With the bull being close to 18 months to breed cows that are calving in March I really see no problem. Just keep an eye on him, small breeding pastures so he doesn't have to chase and he should hold condition fine. With only one bull he would be dumb and be fighting all day.
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Post by copperhead on Dec 3, 2007 10:07:40 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers guys, it helped in two ways. One I need to get my young bulls out of the main pasture, and two, I'll head down to my buddys place and get my hands on a good "young" replacement bull. I appreciate all the help........... P.J.
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Post by shamrockhill on Jan 9, 2008 22:59:00 GMT -5
Here's one for the record books.
I was talking to the lady who breed my beautiful Red Bull and she told me that prior to my bull coming to live with me, he had been sent off to a property for natural service. He had three girls lined up for his affections but he was too late.
A five (5) month old bull calf that was on the property, managed to serve his mother and sisters with 3 live calves produced.
Whilst I think that was probably a rare incident, it makes you think twice about late weaning.
Can anyone bet that??
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Post by anthony on Jan 10, 2008 11:53:42 GMT -5
not on bulls side but I have heard of 14 month old heifers spitting out calves... Not here but we have come close, lol.. Not something I would plan on but crap happens sometimes.
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