“Steer” showing signs of a bull…?

[ksmit454]

I have a steer that I bought back in October, he was about 7 months at the time, just weaned. Yesterday, I was out checking the herd and he started acting very odd and he was showing his pecker, for lack of better words, and let out a very weird moo. Then today, I was looking at him thinking, his neck is looking sort of thick… I bought him as a steer and I don't see any nuts, but… I know there's always that chance there is one up there somewhere… thoughts? Do steers even show their pecker like that? I have had several steers and never seen them show like that. I have not seen this steer try to mount any of my cows/heifers. Guess my next step is in the chute, and get up close and personal to feel for a missed nut!

 

[MurraysMutts]

I have seen steers do that. Even younger ones. Lots of steers will ride cows too.. What's your plan for him?
Get him away from heifers I presume?

 

[ksmit454]

Ye

I have seen steers do that. Even younger ones. What's your plan for him?
Get him away from heifers I presume?

I purchased him to finish out with my 4 other steers this fall. I only have 2 heifers and I'm not concerned (if he is a bull) if he breeds one of them as she's of breeding age. The other heifer is not quite there for breeding. I'll have to see about getting him in the chute first to just be sure he's not a bull. If he is though… do I still finish him and and just keep him separate with my steers? Or do I get the vet out to get rid of that testicle?

 

[MurraysMutts]

Ye

I purchased him to finish out with my 4 other steers this fall. I only have 2 heifers and I'm not concerned (if he is a bull) if he breeds one of them as she's of breeding age. The other heifer is not quite there for breeding. I'll have to see about getting him in the chute first to just be sure he's not a bull. If he is though… do I still finish him and and just keep him separate with my steers? Or do I get the vet out to get rid of that testicle?

Often times a belly nut bull will be sterile, but don't count on it!
As far as feeding him out, I bet he would still do ok.
Gonna cost real money to have a vet remove it if he is a bull.

I'm not a professional tho, but I play one on t.v.

 

[kenny thomas]

You have the correct plan. Get him in the chute first. If the penis was only hanging out a little that's one thing but if he was running it out and it's hard he is a bull.

 

[Buck Randall]

Gonna cost real money to have a vet remove it if he is a bull.

It depends where the testicle is. If the bull was banded, I would definitely not assume that it's up in his belly. It's common for people to accidentally leave one (or both) of the testicles above the band. It won't usually be visually obvious, but they're easy to feel if you get him in the chute. A vet can fix those pretty easily.

 

[ksmit454]

You have the correct plan. Get him in the chute first. If the penis was only hanging out a little that's one thing but if he was running it out and it's hard he is a bull.

Yes it was just hanging out a little. I'm going to get him in the chute and see what I can find.

 

[ksmit454]

It depends where the testicle is. If the bull was banded, I would definitely not assume that it's up in his belly. It's common for people to accidentally leave one (or both) of the testicles above the band. It won't usually be visually obvious, but they're easy to feel if you get him in the chute. A vet can fix those pretty easily.

That was my thought. I have banded before and I admit it can be difficult to her both nuts before banding! I always count them to be sure. Yes I assume it wouldn't be too tough of a process if it was missed in that case. Would it be worth it however or could I still finish him out with my other steers and have the meat be just as good?

 

[wbvs58]

I'd just carry on as you planned but do check him out, it might be a simple solution.

Ken

 

[ksmit454]

Well this is the "steer" in question. I at least separated the heifers from him today. In the near future I'll check for a missed nut. Although I see a scar down there so it looks like he was cut and not banded… maybe my chances are better being that he was cut…? Hoping he didn't breed any of my heifers…. But I guess step 1 is to figure out if he's a bull. I only wonder because of his thicker neck too.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Was he cut at weaning?

 

[kenny thomas]

I will make an attempt to explain something I have seen in the past. A livestock grader said the calf had a PHD. Wasn't on paper either. Translated to Peter Hanging Down. Caused by castration and leaving most or all of the cord. Not sure if he was correct but it kept the calf from going into a state graded sale.

 

[ksmit454]

Was he cut at weaning?

I am not sure when he was cut. When I got him as a weanling he was already casterated but that doesn't narrow it down to tell me weather it was at weaning or early on.

 

[Silver]

I will make an attempt to explain something I have seen in the past. A livestock grader said the calf had a PHD. Wasn't on paper either. Translated to Peter Hanging Down. Caused by castration and leaving most or all of the cord. Not sure if he was correct but it kept the calf from going into a state graded sale.

I've never heard or seen such a thing, and I've knife cut my share. Sounds like an equine issue rather than bovine.

 

[kenny thomas]

I've never heard or seen such a thing, and I've knife cut my share. Sounds like an equine issue rather than bovine.

All I know is that the steer would let it hang out 2-3" and the state grader disqualified him from the special sale with that excuse. He had been cut as a 250lb calf and probably weighed 600 when this happened.

 

[Ridgefarmer63]

I know it's possible for humans to have three nuts. I coworker of mine had the "surprise" at 45. How about a BSE test ?

 

[Gobbler'sKnob]

Sounds like he's about to have a super interesting week.

 

[ksmit454]

Welllll… he's 100% still a bull. I suspect a chryptoid testicle situation. I haven't even had to put him through the cute to check. I know he's a bull by the ways he looks and is acting. Bellows all hours of the night for the cows and heifers in the next pasture over. Threw some hay tonight and he had no interest, just wanted to pace the fence and holler. Been trying to mount and breed the other steers with him… sale day is Wednesday and he's going!