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slick4591
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Thanks, Gale. I'll be studying that.
Back Into Breeding Condition
- Thread starter slick4591
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slick4591
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This first two PICS are of her half sister (#92) that's 15 days older. Up until I separated them they have been treated the exact same way.
This is #93.
This is #93.
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slick4591
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Thanks for your opinion. She'll be getting the groceries. I just have to make up my mind if I want her with the bull right now.
Gale Seddon
Well-known member
I was expecting to see something really gaunt and scrawny. Yes, I think she needs to be fed well, but I've seen other cattle in far worse shape than that.
Don't know your setup. I guess I'd probably keep feeding them together so they've got a buddy and put the bull in with them, depending on when you want them to calve. Are you concerned that the bull will hurt her when breeding (you said "she might not be able to handle him")?
I realize commercial cattlemen want everything to calve around 2 years old, but with mine (Dexters) I'm not so concerned about that and have found that a few do better being held back (and the ones that have bred a little older the first time are usually better mothers).
Don't know your setup. I guess I'd probably keep feeding them together so they've got a buddy and put the bull in with them, depending on when you want them to calve. Are you concerned that the bull will hurt her when breeding (you said "she might not be able to handle him")?
I realize commercial cattlemen want everything to calve around 2 years old, but with mine (Dexters) I'm not so concerned about that and have found that a few do better being held back (and the ones that have bred a little older the first time are usually better mothers).
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slick4591
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Yes, kinda worried that she might get hurt and if she's in good enough shape to conceive. I guess I'm seeing her as scrawny considering how much weight she has lost. I know she is putting on weight now, but she just looks poor to me. Will be turning the bull in with #92 and the other heifer tomorrow as I have 93 and 92 in different pastures at the moment. Just a gate separates them, so it would be pretty easy to run them together if I need to. I only have 5 females, so it's no big deal when they calve. Really would rather stay away from the cold months though.
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slick4591
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What I feared happening did. Apparently, the bull tried to cover her sometime after noon Monday because when I fed last night she was limping pretty bad on her right rear. She made it to the trough and ate, then drank. I figured I'd better get her in the other pasture, but she wouldn't go and ran from us. Figured it wasn't too bad since she was running so I came on home. Went out this morning and she was separated from the others laying down under a tree by the pond. When I got her up I thought I might be able to walk her to the barn but she just went into the pond. Guess I'll get her up with a feed bucket this evening when I go back and hit her with some Dex. Nothing really seems swollen at this point, but I figure she needs the Dex. Anything else?
