Blind Bull

[Thunter]

I am looking for some feedback on a Brangus (commercial) bull calf that is blind in one eye.
One of our bull calfs is about 4 months old. Initially when I knew I couldn't save they eye I decided he would be cut and go to sale with the rest of the calves. He was the first fall calf to drop so he is older than the rest and it's about the time I like to cut calves now ( 3 months old). With that being said, the guy is really showing out (to me) with his bone, muscle, and overall growth and health. I think he could make a fine bull for someone. One one hand I don't want to get low balled over him being blind and on the other I am not sure how much the sale barn with dock him for a bad eye.. Like I said he impresses me and something keeps procrastinating me to cut him. What are your thoughts.

 

[Travlr]

I am looking for some feedback on a Brangus (commercial) bull calf that is blind in one eye.
One of our bull calfs is about 4 months old. Initially when I knew I couldn't save they eye I decided he would be cut and go to sale with the rest of the calves. He was the first fall calf to drop so he is older than the rest and it's about the time I like to cut calves now ( 3 months old). With that being said, the guy is really showing out (to me) with his bone, muscle, and overall growth and health. I think he could make a fine bull for someone. One one hand I don't want to get low balled over him being blind and on the other I am not sure how much the sale barn with dock him for a bad eye.. Like I said he impresses me and something keeps procrastinating me to cut him. What are your thoughts.

Well the sale barn is going to be brutal. And I don't know many people that would buy a bull that's blind in one eye.

But you never said why that bull is blind, so that might matter to some people.

Bottom line, either use him yourself, cut and sell him privately as processed beef, or put him in your own freezer to maximize dollars.

 

[Thunter]

Well the sale barn is going to be brutal. And I don't know many people that would buy a bull that's blind in one eye.

But you never said why that bull is blind, so that might matter to some people.

Bottom line, either use him yourself, cut and sell him privately as processed beef, or put him in your own freezer to maximize dollars.

Thanks for your input. Honestly don't know why. My first thought was pink eye. Treated for that and patched the eye. Didn't do the trick. Tried a round of antibiotics and that didn't do it. My best guess was he had some kind of deficiency that I didn't catch in time or treat right.

 

[Brute 23]

Do you need a butcher calf? Sounds like a great candidate. He will get docked pretty decent at an AB.

 

[Thunter]

Do you need a butcher calf? Sounds like a great candidate. He will get docked pretty decent at an AB.

I didn't.. but that may be the best route to go.

 

[gcreekrch]

Sell him to someone with ugly cows.

 

[Dsth]

Does a bull need both eyes to get the job done?

 

[Thunter]

Does a bull need both eyes to get the job done?

No. If I needed a bull I'd keep him.

 

[GoWyo]

He may do fine as the only bull in a pasture, but will be at a significant disadvantage if he's not.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

This is a home bred best herd bull from across the road. He is over 20 years old. Seems like he can find and breed cows just fine.

 

[Travlr]

Thanks for your input. Honestly don't know why. My first thought was pink eye. Treated for that and patched the eye. Didn't do the trick. Tried a round of antibiotics and that didn't do it. My best guess was he had some kind of deficiency that I didn't catch in time or treat right.

Well if it wasn't an injury and you don't know why... could a deficiency be from a genetic anomaly or some kind of inability to maintain a healthy eye?

Ya know, 99% of the time it's just fine, but there have been great looking, superior bloodline, apparently healthy bulls that have wreaked havoc on breeds due to passing a genetic anomaly along to their offspring that didn't show up for years and generations.

So why take the chance? Cull the one-eyed bull and sleep better for doing it.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

If it was a genetic anomaly why is it not in both eyes?

 

[Travlr]

If it was a genetic anomaly why is it not in both eyes?

Ever seen a kid/dog/whatever with genetic issues and they have asymmetry?

Craniofacial microsomia (unequal facial features between left and right sides), situs inversus (mirror-image reversal of internal organs), Aicardi syndrome (brain asymmetry with different sized hemispheres), and certain limb malformations where one side is significantly different from the other.

 

[Hippie Rancher]

if it was an injury I would consider keeping if all other factors were good, but if some disease process...nah, too many good ones available without a bad eye. cull bull prices have been pretty good around here lately. one blind eye stocker wouldn't get docked too much if healed. but putting in your freezer might be most cost effective move.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

Aicardi syndrome - I think I have that.

My neighbors with the one eyed herd bull kept for 20 years He sired many trailer loads of good muscular black calves, then they put him in the freezer.