sunnyblueskies
Well-known member
Just trying to see what you guys would think is going on.
Since everyone discussed Docility in a different thread I thought it would be interesting to see what you guys think about this.
So our herd is out on 'pasture' all year round. Even in the winter they are fed out on the field, they never get penned up other for calving issues, medical issues or sorting. Which means they are not really handled often either. Regardless of that, there is nobody 'dangerous' in the herd usually unless it's calving time and there are a few known 'don't touch my new calf or I will kill you' cows. Overall I can't complain much about them.
Going through the last winter though we noticed a lot more fighting going on between the cows, to the point of 2 or 3 horned cows breaking off horns as a result of the fights. Even feeding, cutting off twine in the field isn't a calm relaxing affair anymore, cows are more aggressive to get to the feed first, others get pushed out of the way etc.
Now we are calving since about 5 weeks and even there cows are more aggressive this year during the tagging. Some just plain nuts and highly dangerous.
The herd was not starved on feed, so it's not a feed jealousy.
Predators could be the next point of reason, but I saw a coyote right in the herd the other day catching mice and the cows didn't even lift an ear.
My husband tried to tag a new calf yesterday, started without problems, then another cow picked a fight with the new mother (not a heifer) and the new mom freaked out to the point of attacking everybody and everything. Had to bring in the tractor to finish processing the calf and stay somewhat safe. After we were done she rammed everything even coming close to her and her calf, including other calves. This morning all is good again and she didn't do a thing while I 'kicked her calf in the butt' to get up and get away from a fence.
I don't understand. Why is everyone in the herd so on edge these last few months. What could the reason be?
Since everyone discussed Docility in a different thread I thought it would be interesting to see what you guys think about this.
So our herd is out on 'pasture' all year round. Even in the winter they are fed out on the field, they never get penned up other for calving issues, medical issues or sorting. Which means they are not really handled often either. Regardless of that, there is nobody 'dangerous' in the herd usually unless it's calving time and there are a few known 'don't touch my new calf or I will kill you' cows. Overall I can't complain much about them.
Going through the last winter though we noticed a lot more fighting going on between the cows, to the point of 2 or 3 horned cows breaking off horns as a result of the fights. Even feeding, cutting off twine in the field isn't a calm relaxing affair anymore, cows are more aggressive to get to the feed first, others get pushed out of the way etc.
Now we are calving since about 5 weeks and even there cows are more aggressive this year during the tagging. Some just plain nuts and highly dangerous.
The herd was not starved on feed, so it's not a feed jealousy.
Predators could be the next point of reason, but I saw a coyote right in the herd the other day catching mice and the cows didn't even lift an ear.
My husband tried to tag a new calf yesterday, started without problems, then another cow picked a fight with the new mother (not a heifer) and the new mom freaked out to the point of attacking everybody and everything. Had to bring in the tractor to finish processing the calf and stay somewhat safe. After we were done she rammed everything even coming close to her and her calf, including other calves. This morning all is good again and she didn't do a thing while I 'kicked her calf in the butt' to get up and get away from a fence.
I don't understand. Why is everyone in the herd so on edge these last few months. What could the reason be?